In several offices around campus, small Christmas trees sit patiently on desks waiting for people to take ornaments off their limbs.
The ornaments are not just for decoration, though – each one holds information about the needs of a family in the USI community.
The Giving Tree has taken place every holiday season on USI’s campus since its creation over a decade ago. Multiple departments put up Giving Trees during the holiday season. This year, trees can be found in more than 10 department offices on campus, including the admissions office.
To give to the event, a donor selects an ornament with the name of specific toys or items on it. There is a spending limit of $25 per ornament. Separate ornaments are designated for international students and requests for food for students who remain on campus during winter break.
Staff Council overtook the coordination of the event in 2001 and continues to serve the families of USI staff and students who are in need of a helping hand during the holiday season. The event focuses mainly on the children of these families.
In 2011, the Giving Tree served a record of 36 families.
Cindy Braker, administrative assistant in the admissions office, said she looks forward to it. She said she normally puts up their tree right before Thanksgiving break, so it is ready to go when students return.
“You know, it’s nice that you can help someone that maybe is a little less fortunate than you are,” Braker said. “And you’re helping … families from the USI community. It’s a good cause, and everyone should go out and support it.”
The families will receive their gifts in confidentiality on Dec. 10 and Dec. 11, between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.
Families are limited to selecting three necessity items, such as shoes, socks and a coat, and two toys (excluding electronic devices and games) per child.
Only children 13 and under receive wrapped gifts. Children aged 14 to 18 receive no more than two gift certificates from Wal-Mart, while adults and guardians may receive only one.
Debbie Whiteside, Employee Relations member and contact for the Giving Tree event this year, said, “It’s not a handout – it’s a hand up. You don’t pay us back – you pay us forward. We need to stretch our arms out.”