Spring Break
Angels donate Christmas gifts for foster children to unwrap
Rachel Murrin
Issue date: 12/1/03 Section: News
Needy children in the Macomb area will have Christmas gifts to unwrap this season, with the help of a few local organizations.
Western Illinois University's accounting fraternity, Beta Alpha Psi, and the accountancy department are sponsoring the Angel Tree Program for the 10th consecutive year. The goal of the program is to provide every foster-care child in McDonough, Fulton, Warren, Henderson and Hancock counties with at least three Christmas presents. There are a total of 72 children this year.
The program started 10 years ago with only 19 children, but the response was so generous, the program expanded to the other counties, according to Shirley Gray, Beta Alpha Psi's faculty adviser.
"We started with foster kids from Fulton and McDonough counties and now we have kids from five counties," Gray said.
The Department of Children and Family Services has given Beta Alpha Psi the name, age, gender, size and wish list of every foster child in each of the five counties. Individuals can participate in the program by calling or e-mailing Gray at 309/298-1152 or sg-gray@wiu.edu. She then will provide a child's information to the participant so the gifts can be bought. A delivery tag with the child's information will also be mailed to the participant's home.
"You can buy one gift, or however many you want," Gray said.
Any amount of money can be spent on the presents. Gifts should be new and wrapped, with the delivery tag tied to them. They can be delivered to the accountancy department in Room 418 of Stipes Hall. If the participant is unable to deliver the gift, they can contact Gray and someone will pick up the package. Gifts must be ready by Friday.
When the presents have all been collected, DCFS will pick them up from Stipes Hall and deliver them to the needy children's homes.
"This is a worthwhile program," Gray said. "Sometimes all they get is what we give them."
The Salvation Army and the Western radio station WIUS 88.3 "The Dog" are also helping to bring Macomb children some holiday cheer.
The Christmas Wish program began Nov. 17 and runs until Friday. All individuals need to do to participate is to bring a new, unwrapped toy to the station's studio at 326 Sallee Hall.
"So far we've gotten about 20 toys," said Jeremy Ray, disc jockey for "The Dog."
On Friday, at 11 a.m., Ray will be accepting toys as he broadcasts live in front of the University Union. Later that day, the gifts will be delivered to the Salvation Army for children in Macomb.
Western Illinois University's accounting fraternity, Beta Alpha Psi, and the accountancy department are sponsoring the Angel Tree Program for the 10th consecutive year. The goal of the program is to provide every foster-care child in McDonough, Fulton, Warren, Henderson and Hancock counties with at least three Christmas presents. There are a total of 72 children this year.
The program started 10 years ago with only 19 children, but the response was so generous, the program expanded to the other counties, according to Shirley Gray, Beta Alpha Psi's faculty adviser.
"We started with foster kids from Fulton and McDonough counties and now we have kids from five counties," Gray said.
The Department of Children and Family Services has given Beta Alpha Psi the name, age, gender, size and wish list of every foster child in each of the five counties. Individuals can participate in the program by calling or e-mailing Gray at 309/298-1152 or sg-gray@wiu.edu. She then will provide a child's information to the participant so the gifts can be bought. A delivery tag with the child's information will also be mailed to the participant's home.
"You can buy one gift, or however many you want," Gray said.
Any amount of money can be spent on the presents. Gifts should be new and wrapped, with the delivery tag tied to them. They can be delivered to the accountancy department in Room 418 of Stipes Hall. If the participant is unable to deliver the gift, they can contact Gray and someone will pick up the package. Gifts must be ready by Friday.
When the presents have all been collected, DCFS will pick them up from Stipes Hall and deliver them to the needy children's homes.
"This is a worthwhile program," Gray said. "Sometimes all they get is what we give them."
The Salvation Army and the Western radio station WIUS 88.3 "The Dog" are also helping to bring Macomb children some holiday cheer.
The Christmas Wish program began Nov. 17 and runs until Friday. All individuals need to do to participate is to bring a new, unwrapped toy to the station's studio at 326 Sallee Hall.
"So far we've gotten about 20 toys," said Jeremy Ray, disc jockey for "The Dog."
On Friday, at 11 a.m., Ray will be accepting toys as he broadcasts live in front of the University Union. Later that day, the gifts will be delivered to the Salvation Army for children in Macomb.
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brenda myers
posted 10/28/08 @ 8:54 AM CST
could you please tell me wherei can get help in thedallas area we are adopting six sibling on national day of adoption. but i need help with christmas thank you brenda myers
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