[AppyPappy]

We quit doing the Angel Tree thing. It became a racket. Most of the kids in it know a kid who had a cousin who got a Gameboy. So they started swinging for the fences. I knew some kids who were "Angels" and it was basically a supplement to their other gifts because the government got involved. The government sold it as "free stuff" to anyone on any form of public assistance instead of qualifying the kids. The truly needy kids get short-changed. Now we support International missions like Operation Christmas Child.

[kimmie7]

Well, it's not really a SA angel tree -- we found the same was true. This was something we did at church...it's just easier to say 'angel tree' ;-)

[carlo3b]

Now we support International missions like Operation Christmas Child.

Good idea.. Checking it out.. Thanks my dear FRiend!

[Think free or die]

"We quit doing the Angel Tree thing. It became a racket."

That's a sad statement. I've begun to wonder recently about the proliferation of these programs at the holidays, all purporting to help needy children. We encourage our kids to help others, and we surely don't want to be miserly, but we also don't care to be used. I dropped out of a program at my last office when it seemed that the requested items were getting overly expensive and extravagant in nature. This year we've been asked to provide gifts and financial support for five of these programs, and in several cases we were asked twice (one for each of our kids). It seems a bit overwhelming at times.