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The Giving Tree
Who: United Way Volunteer Center, Gifts in Kind, 2-1-1 Call Referal Center, and the Corporate Volunteer Council What: The Giving Tree – United Way’s “Emergency” Holiday Help Program When: To Be Announced at a later date. Why: Most United Way agencies and local nonprofit organizations that provide holiday assistance stop accepting requests for help between December 10 and 15. Many nonprofits run out of available holiday resources even before then. HOWEVER, thanks to the “Giving Tree” United Way of Greater Chattanooga can still help families in need who call after December 15. This annual event is organized and hosted by United Way’s Volunteer Center, 2-1-1 Call Referral Center and Gifts in Kind, and sponsored by United Way’s Corporate Volunteer Council. So we're holding the first ever "Giving Tree Gift Drive" to collect toys for those families that find themselves without assistance at the last minute during the holidays. Companies, churches and civic groups can help by collecting gifts, for both adults and children, by holding a gift drive. You can find downloads - located on the right side of this web page - for posters, flyers and other materials to help you host a drive. How: This new project helps us collect toys so we can allow families who have received no holiday help through other assistance programs to "shop" for gifts. Last year, the Corporate Volunteer Council and Gifts in Kind provided holiday gifts for 68 families through this event, a 20 percent increase over the previous year. Every child selects one gift for each parent; parents choose two gifts for each child. Families who come to shop also get a goody bag that includes: a free family-pass to Creative Discovery Museum, Little Debbie snacks and books from United Way’s Project Ready for School. If you know a family that needs Christmas help, call 2-1-1 as soon as possible. Anyone needing holiday help should call 2-1-1 as soon as possible! Call Windy Brooks at 423-752-0316 for more information or e-mail windybrooks@uwchatt.org
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