87 ornaments
in total representing children or families
$25
is the minimum price for presents
18
is the maximum age for child participants in the program
92 presents
were received during last year’s program
A Ball State student organization is looking to bring the Christmas spirit to children in need with a little help from students.
The Student Voluntary Services started its annual Angel Tree project Nov. 11 to give gifts to children.
Darren Meeker, coordinator of the event, said the project is one of the organization’s most popular volunteer opportunities.
“I think part of it is the Christmas spirit,” Meeker said. “People really get into it, and it’s fairly simple to do.”
Students pick an angel from the tree that represents a child or family, and he said this helps keep the event fun.
“I think it really makes people happy to be involved in that process,” he said.
Part of the success, Meeker said, is that student organizations can pitch in to split the cost of buying presents. For example, he said a Greek Life chapter of 50 people can pitch in $2 to $3 each. This would allow the chapter to buy nicer gifts for an individual child or pick up a family and get gifts for three or four children.
After selecting a child, SVS staff record the volunteer’s information including name, email, phone number and if the student is participating through a student organization. If the presents have not been turned in on time, the staff calls the volunteer to remind them.
This year, the project has 87 names on the tree with about half of those claimed. Meeker said this is a slower turnout from the previous year when all the names had been claimed within the first week of the event.
Gifts from the Angel Tree are due by Dec. 2, at which time SVS will open spots for students to volunteer wrapping the presents.
By the numbers:
87 ornaments
in total representing children or families
$25
is the minimum price for presents
18
is the maximum age for child participants in the program
92 presents
were received during last year’s program
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