BATESVILLE — There will be smiles on the faces of many children this year because of the success of the 2015 North Central Arkansas United Way Angel Tree Program. Thanks to the combined efforts of businesses, organizations and community residents, nearly 500 children in Independence County will have their wish lists fulfilled on Christmas morning.
Families lined up at the Independence County Fairgrounds in Batesville on Dec. 15 to pick up their gifts in the culmination of nearly a three-month-long process that began with an application period in October. Applications were sorted, then passed on to businesses that acted as “distribution hubs,” where residents could adopt an angel.
“These businesses ensure that each angel at their
business is adopted by a member of the community, many of them being employees of their businesses,” said Allison Phelps, executive director of the United Way of North Central Arkansas.
“We literally ran out of names, which is a good thing,” Richard Florczak, a director at the Lifeplus Project Management Office in Batesville, said of the company’s contribution to the United Way’s Angel Tree Program. “There was an outpouring of support from the community. They really wrapped their arms around it.”
Lifeplus was able to fill Christmas lists for 24 children from the local United Way Angel Tree and, additionally, buy presents for eight teenage girls in the Oil Trough community, said Tracy Smith of Lifeplus. Smith led a team of “elves” who kept a lookout for clearance sales, online deals and Black Friday events that included items such as children’s clothing and toys throughout the year. Smith also sold candy in the break room of the Lifeplus Batesville office to raise funds for Angel Tree shopping.
“It just gives me a good feeling,” said Smith, who works in the distribution services department of the Batesville office. “I’m passionate about making sure these kids wake up on Christmas morning and have a happy day.”
During distribution of the gifts, more than 700 volunteer hours were logged by helpers from the Batesville community.
“Our volunteers work hard to make sure the process runs smoothly and that all the gifts go to the correct families,” said Colin Patterson, chairman of the Angel Tree Program.
“Many of our volunteers have been helping us for years. This year, nearly 100 individuals showed up to help out over the three-day distribution period, and we couldn’t be more grateful for their help and dedication to our mission,” Patterson said.
“Everyone who contributed to the success of this year’s Angel Tree Program should really be proud of themselves,” Florczak said.
Between fundraising and direct donations, the total for this year’s effort at Lifeplus alone was $2,214.70, with an average of $88 spent on each child, he said. The angels who receive gifts from Lifeplus will receive at least two outfits, a coat, socks, a pair of shoes, one large toy and several smaller ones.
“Many of the families have told us that without this program, they wouldn’t have ‘Christmas morning’ at their house,” Phelps said. “Our community gave generously to Angel Tree. We are thankful for the incredible support of local businesses and volunteers who helped make this possible. We couldn’t have done it without them.”