Giving Tree to Return for 2024

Thanksgiving is just two weeks away, which mean Christmas is right around the corner. While the season can be one filled with gifts, those in need may often go without.

Every year, the Valley Service Organization (VSO) organizes the Giving Tree project. The project is designed to ensure all Valley children—in both Saratoga and Encampment—have a chance to enjoy a Merry Christmas regardless of their economic circumstances, according to Project Chairman Micki Hall. Parents who wish their children to be included in the project this year are encouraged to complete and return the forms by Thursday, November 21.

The 2024 Giving Tree will be up at Town and Country Realty in Saratoga on Monday, November 25.

The forms detail children’s Christmas wishes and needs, along with their ages, sizes and favorite colors. Forms are still available at Saratoga and Encampment schools, day cares and preschools. The information form the forms is placed on tags—without the name of the child—and placed on the Giving Tree for people to take. Those who take a tag will use it as a guide for providing gifts for the children.

Gifts are to be returned, unwrapped, to Town and Country Realty along with the tags by December 12. They will be distributed to the parents the following week.

Hall emphasized that all names of families and children are strictly confidential and tags are destroyed after they have served their purpose. As in past years, Giving Tree tags will also include information about residents of the Extended Care Unit at the North Platte Valley Medical Center. Valley organizations will also be able to sponsor families again this year.

The Giving Tree is just one of VSO’s holiday activities. Planning has also begun for Winter Wonderland and the annual lighted Christmas parade, both of which will be held on December 14.