East County Angel Tree

This story was submitted by Lou Hillman, our Community Resource Coordinator at SCCAA's satalite office in Concrete:

From all of us at the East County Resource Center in Concrete want to thank our community for taking part in our "First Annual Angel Tree Holiday Celebration".

There were 113 children from our community in need of a little helping hand this past Christmas. In response, we hung tags with the child’s name and age on an "Angel Tree” in the Resource Center located at the library. The folks at the Town of Concrete Town Hall helped spread the word and in a few short weeks, community members came in droves and brought back lovely gifts for these little "angels". Towards the end of our deadline, there were only a few names left and with the cash donations from several anonymous donors, we were able to make sure that each child had a gift under the tree!

Vicki Dinkins, our new Department of Licensing/Chamber manager came up with the idea and supervised the event. She did a wonderful job of keeping us organized and focused.

Special thanks to so many that opened their hearts in the spirit of Christmas!! Word spread of our little project and our community came together in what was a magical moment. Richard Frank donated boxes of stocking stuffers as did Rose Weaver, John Hendrickson and the Sheriff's office donated brand new bicycles and gobs of brand new teddy bears in need of a loving new home. The Lions Club donated cash to help with the extra gifts needed.

Toys for Tots and the Marine Corps League, Detachment #1043 has requested we shout out an enormous thank you to the community for helping to make many Christmas wishes come true. Toys for Tots representative Murle Brown and his wife Kay, of the Resource Center were amazing Christmas elves.

We plan on having an "Angel Tree" again next year, and plan tol start a little earlier in the season; so get ready East County! Suggestions, ideas and donations will always be welcome!

Thank you all so very much for the outpouring of love, generosity and caring we all saw this year. It truly "takes a village....."

In appreciation to our wonderful community!!!

Lou Hillman, Resource Center Coordinator
Vicki Dinkins, DOL-Chamber Manager
Kay Brown, AmeriCorp Volunteer
Gaylyn Harrington, Resource Center Technician