Looking for a way to help those less fortunate? For the 16th year, Silverton’s Zenith Woman’s Club is sponsoring the Tree of Giving. This year, live Christmas trees will be displayed at 4 locations in Silverton beginning the Friday after Thanksgiving: Rite-Aid, Hi-School Pharmacy, Immanuel Lutheran Church and the United Methodist Church. Each tree will have paper ornaments with clothing sizes for a qualified, needy child within the Silver Falls School District.
Willing helpers are asked to pick an ornament and shop for new clothing items (coats, shirts, pants, shoes) as specified on the list, wrap the items and return them to a drop off site near the tree with the paper ornament so volunteers will know which child the clothing is for. Any toys purchased must be unwrapped. Used clothing items will not be accepted, but donated to the community closet at Silverton Seventh-Day Adventist Church.
As part of the Silverton Christmas Tree Lighting Program on Friday, Dec. 5, the United Methodist Church will have its Tree of Giving available during the tree lighting celebration. Women from the Zenith Club will be available to answer questions.
If a family or business wishes to sponsor an entire family for the Tree of Giving, volunteers can help set that up as well. Or, contact Jeanette Olafson, 503-873-5588 to arrange to sponsor a family.
The Zenith Club will also accept monetary donations to buy clothing and gifts; checks may be made out and mailed to: Silverton Zenith Woman’s Club, P.O. Box 1273, Silverton OR 97381.
Volunteer gift wrappers may come to Immanuel Lutheran Church to sort and wrap donations on Sunday, Dec. 14, 5 to 9 p.m. or Monday, Dec. 15, 9 a.m. to noon or 7 to 9 p.m.
Last year, 174 families and 451 children received Tree of Giving presents.
