Nearly 400 students need your help so they can have a brighter holiday season.
The Fayette County Public School System’s annual CARE (Children at Risk in Education) Angel Tree project is underway and the needs of students are reflective of the current economic situation in Fayette, the state and nation. The number of students needing help is up by 100 from last year.
The CARE Angel Tree is different from most holiday donation projects in that gift requests are for non-traditional items. Needs this year include children’s clothing, shoes, toiletries, and personal hygiene products. There is also a need for gift cards from grocery and discount stores for the purchase of food, gas and other basic necessities.
“We have a number of high school students who are working to help support their families due to their parents losing their jobs or having to take a lower paying job,” says CARE Coordinator Karen Spangler. “These students are from families of the working poor, many are experiencing this way of life for the first time.”
Angel requests span across all grade levels and areas of the county. In order for a student to make a gift request, at least one of the parents must be working or legitimately trying to find work. Counselors at each school identify those who are in need and make recommendations for placement in the angel project if the students and their families meet the required guidelines.
Besides basic needs, counselors have also identified some additional “wish-list” items for their angels. Over 100 requests have been received for bicycles, both male and female, for all ages. Toys, board games, puzzles and books have also been requested.
The community can select an angel off the Angel Tree board in Building “B” of the LaFayette Educational Center, located behind Arby’s on Georgia Highway 85 in Fayetteville. All angel donations must be turned in to the LaFayette Educational Center by December 13 in order for them to be distributed to the students before they break for the semester.
Persons who would rather make a donation instead of sponsoring a particular child can do so by dropping off basic need items, non-perishable foods or gift cards at the front desk of Building “B” of the LaFayette Educational Center. These donations will help stock the holiday shopping center the last week before the semester break, giving school counselors an opportunity to shop for last minute needs for families who have just moved into the area or lost a job, got evicted, etc.
“This has been a huge success the past three years. We always have students who suddenly find themselves in need just before the holidays. Donations to the holiday shopping center are greatly appreciated so that we can help our students have a brighter holiday season,” says Spangler.
For questions about the CARE Angel Tree Project or directions to the LaFayette Educational Center, please contact Karen Spangler, 770-460-3990.
Fayette Holiday Helpers assist in fulfilling angel requests each year. Donations for the CARE Angel Tree Project can also be done through Fayette Holiday Helpers. Call 678-817-0004 or 770-487-9715 to make a donation.
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