November 25, 2008

Tree offers chance to brighten Christmas for kids

by Christi Mathis

CARBONDALE, Ill. -- This holiday season, a tree at Southern Illinois University Carbondale’s Student Center features some very special decorations. The ornaments represent opportunity, the chance to do something for less fortunate little someones in the community.

The angel tree, next to the cash registers at the University Bookstore, bears ornaments with the name of an item or items that could brighten the holiday for a child. Catholic Social Services or the Shawnee Crisis Pregnancy Center are providing assistance to the kids and you can help. To share your Christmas joy, simply purchase one or more of the items and return them to the tree for distribution to the children.

Catholic Social Services is collecting an assortment of items for local toddlers, including an activity table with blocks, a soft Dora doll, a play and spin learn top, a stuffed giraffe, a Fisher Price sit to stand, a girl’s riding toy, a boy’s Big Wheel toy, a Fisher Price workbench/tool set, a bowling set, Magna Doodle with stencils, and an Eddy and his Boulder Little People play set. Turn in the items, unwrapped, by Monday, Dec. 1, for distribution.

The remaining items specified on the angel tree ornaments are going to the Shawnee Crisis Pregnancy Center. You can purchase any of those items and return them to the giving tree no later than Dec. 16.