Giving Tree forms need to be returned now

The last day for parents to submit forms for the 2015 Giving Tree sponsored by the Valley Service Organization (VSO) is Thursday, according to Kassey Westring, coordinator of the annual Christmas project.

Forms may be mailed to Westring at P.O. Box 702, Saratoga, WY 82331. A total of 400 forms were made available through Valley schools, pre-schools and other agencies in an effort to reach as many families as possible for this annual project designed to ensure all valley youngsters will enjoy a Merry Christmas and will not have to go without. As in past years, the Giving Tree will be set up at the Town and Country Realty office in Saratoga. Each child from participating families will have a tag on the tree with information as to age, sizes, favorite colors, specific needs and Christmas wishes. People will be able to take a tag from the tree during regular business hours starting Monday, Nov. 23.

“It is important for everyone to realize that no child in the program is identified on the tags,” Westring said. The identities of participating families are kept in strictest confidence, with only one VSO member having access to family identities. After the project is completed, the forms are destroyed.

People providing gifts have until Dec. 10, to return them unwrapped with the Giving Tree tags to Town and Country Realty. Gifts will be distributed to the parents Dec. 17, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at The Hub (Big Brothers/Big Sisters) on Bridge Ave.

In addition, several local organizations are “adopting” whole families for Christmas through the Giving Tree program, providing gifts, Christmas dinner and the like.

Last year, the Giving Tree project provided Christmas cheer to 49 children, representing 19 families.