Columbus State Student-Athlete Advisory Committee Participates in “Angel Tree” Program

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Columbus – The Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) selected the Salvation Army’s “Angel Tree” program for their December service project.  Utilizing the Angel Tree at Peachtree Mall, SAAC selected six children, ranging in age from 10 months to 11 years, to purchase Christmas presents for this holiday season. 

“I was happy to contribute to such a wonderful program on behalf of the student-athlete organization, said SAAC Advisor Courtney McQuaker.  “One of our initiatives for the 2011-12 academic year was to give back to our community, so we felt it was appropriate to use SAAC fundraising money to do just that, particularly to a group doing something so magical for children.”

This Salvation Army sharing program began in 1979 and offers a unique approach for concerned individuals to provide Christmas gifts for needy children across the Chattahoochee Valley. 

The Salvation Army conducts interviews to register needy families for assistance.  During this process each approved family is assigned a code number and children are assigned letters.  To ensure confidentiality, all gifts are returned to The Salvation Army for distribution.  The gifts purchased and marked with the child’s code number will go directly to that child.

On the coded “Angel” information card are: a child’s name, age, clothing sizes and two wishes.  It is suggested that one school appropriate clothing outfit and two toys, minimum, be purchased when sponsoring a child. 

Out of the six children sponsored, SAAC was able to buy everything on each “need” list (coats, socks, shoes, clothes) and the majority of things on each “want” list (toys, books, dolls). 

In addition to giving, members of the athletic training staff volunteered to sort through and group appropriate gifts together.  Head Athletic Trainer Jared Sandler, and graduate assistants Ashley Pearce and Kathy Simone were on hand to assist the Salvation Army in ensuring the right children received the correct gifts.  

“I was amazed at the quantity of gifts,” remarked Sandler.  “It was nice to see that so many people care about providing these children with a Christmas.  I was happy to be a part of it.”

Rows and rows of boxes, specifically assigned to “angels,” filled the gymnasium at Salvation Army’s Warm Springs location, as well as tons of extra gifts donated or purchased by individuals/businesses. The sorting of gifts continues through December 15.  Distribution Day, where parents pick up the gifts purchased for their children is scheduled for Friday, December 16.