Tree symbolizes holiday wishes

A hundred little angels dangle from a small Christmas tree on the first floor of the Michigan Union, representing 100 needy children with holiday wishes.

The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People brought the angel gift-giving tree, which is organized annually by the Salvation Army, to campus in hopes that students, faculty and other adults will sponsor area children.

"We realize that many (students) are struggling financially, but we hope faculty, staff and some students will pick an angel," said NAACP Community Service Coordinator Lauren Brewington.

The tree was erected on dec. 10 and will remain in the Union until Dec. 10.

There are a total of 300 angels in the Union, but only about 100 fit on the tree at any given time. The Salvation Army chooses which children will be sponsored each year.

EMILY NATHAN/Daily LSA juniors Franny Elson and Cindy VandenBasch read the backs of angels hanging from a tree in the Michigan Union yesterday.

"Families can apply for holiday assistance through welfare or by contacting us," said Salvation Army Director of Social Services Dale Wanty.

The program began in 1988, when members of Arborland Mall's management staff expressed interest after seeing an angel tree in another state.

Arborland now sponsors 500 children, and other businesses around the state sponsor between 150 and 300 angels.

Last year was the first time the University participated in the program. The University doubled its child sponsorship from 150 to 300 angels this year.

Each of the angels on the tree provides a child's clothing sizes and a gift that the child would like.

Children are asking for everything from Walkie-Talkies to a Yak Maniak.

One boy, who was chosen by LSA junior Kristen Kingzett, asked for cooking toys for Christmas.

"My boyfriend and I are planning on getting him the cooking toys and as many clothes as we can afford," Kingzett said.

This is the second year she has chosen to sponsor a child and said students should do what they can for the community.

"It's important because we live a relatively cushy lifestyle at U of M," Kingzett said. "My parents can afford to send me here and many people will never have this opportunity."

The tree is located directly across from the Campus Information Center. Union employee Mollie Sullivan said passersby have shown interest.

"I've seen people approach the tree and take angels," said Sullivan, an LSA junior.

The program is set up to encourage involvement in the community, but it also stresses anonymity.

"I think a lot of people choose angels because they are able to be more directly involved," Wanty said. "Instead of giving money they are able to choose the actual gifts and know children will be opening them on Christmas morning."

Once the gift has been chosen, the key is to allow the parent to give the gift without the child knowing the Salvation Army was involved, Wanty said.

"It is not a time for publicity," Wanty said. "There is no indication the Salvation Army was involved. We want to allow the parents to say it was from them or Santa Claus."

The local Salvation Army is serving about 1,500 local households and a total of about 4,000 children this holiday season.

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