The Volunteer Center of Milwaukee has extended the participation deadline for this year’s Holiday Giving Tree. The Holiday Giving Tree program has provided thousands of people with their only gift during the holiday season for the past 25 years, and this year the need is greater than ever.
“Times are tough, and we’re seeing the results of that first hand,” said Volunteer Center manager Bonnie Andrews. “At this point in time, hundreds of tags remain unclaimed, leaving children and adults in need without a gift this year.”
Interested groups are asked to estimate the number of gifts they can purchase and complete a participation form no later than Thursday, Nov. 19. Groups will be matched with an agency and will receive a wish list and gift tag for individuals in need.
“Many Giving Tree recipients would love to receive a gift from their family, or a friend,” said Andrews. “But that probably will not happen. They are the working poor, people with chronic illness, people with disability or a mental illness, or older adults who are no longer able to support themselves.”
According to Andrews, many informal groups of family or friends have signed up for the program, taking on a minimum of ten tags. The Volunteer Center will need to give out hundreds of tags in the next week to meet the current need.
To get involved in The Giving Tree program visit: www.volunteermilwaukee.org or call 414.273.7887.
