PBL to expand 'Giving Tree' program

Thursday, December 6, 2012
PBL members, from left, Brittany Sutton, Crista Hudson, and Carlos Dominguez gather at the Giving Tree in Walsh-Brady Hall.

McCOOK, Nebraska -- For many years now, the McCook Community College chapter of Phi Beta Lambda has reached out during the holiday season to make sure that classmates who are also single parents, have presents for their children through the chapter's "Giving Tree" program. The "Giving Tree" is up once again on campus at Walsh-Brady Hall, and PBL members are poised to deliver gifts to the children of single-parent families, but this year the group plans to expand its efforts to help benefit the McCook Toy Box.

When PBL members compiled a preliminary list of single-parent students in need, they decided they could easily fill the wish lists of those children on those lists as well as others and decided to help with the McCook Toy Box project.

"We've had such wonderful support of our Giving Tree project over the years from the college community and others as well it just seems like helping out the Toy Box project is a natural expansion of the goals of this project," said PBL co-advisor Janet Stalder. The PBL committee comprised of Brittany Sutton, Crista Hudson, and Carlos Dominguez contacted Barb Ostrum and were informed that they were in need of board games and books for the older children ranging in ages from 13-16.

The Giving Tree project helps fill specific wish lists for children of college single-parents. Their Christmas lists are included in Terra Cotta pots contained on the Walsh-Brady tree. Each terra cotta pot has a list, for a male or female, ages, sizes and ideas as to what they would like. It's not necessary to purchase everything they asked for. Gifts should be wrapped with the recipient number (located on the back of the sheet) in the pot, and can be taken to the office of Janet Stalder, located in Walsh-Brady Hall. Please deliver the gifts by Wednesday, Dec. 12 so PBL members can make the final deliveries to campus students for their children between Dec. 12 and 17, as well as make deliveries for the Toy Box Dec. 13 in time for their Dec. 16.

"As in the past, the PBL chapter truly appreciates the support of this project from our college families as well as the outpouring from the community." Stalder said. "Christmas is all about giving to the less fortunate and those in need during this season."

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