Donations for Angel Tree Program sought in Traill County
Nov 8, 2019 -- Posted by :By Cory Erickson, Hillsboro Banner
The Traill County Community Giving Project has kicked off its sixth annual Angel Giving Tree program to brighten the holidays of needy families and residents in the county.
This year, 160 households will be served through the project, according to Kim Jacobson, director of Agassiz Valley Social Services, which serves Traill County.
“We’ve seen an increase in the number of elderly and disabled individuals,” Jacobson said Thursday. “We try to keep the number of households served consistent, but we change based on need.”
Created in 2011, the holiday charity drive is directed by Agassiz Valley Social Services, Mayville State Child Development Programs and the South Eastern North Dakota Community Action Agency.
Individuals and families eligible to receive donations must have a referral from one of the agencies in order to participate in the program.
Donors are encouraged to help by picking ornaments from Angel Trees located around the county, with sponsorship options including:
Red and green angels: By selecting a red or green angel, donors purchase gifts for a child. Red angels are for girls and green are for boys. Suggested spending limits are $30 to $40 per angel.
- Silver angels: Donors in this category are purchasing items for elderly or disabled adults. Suggested spending limits are $30 to $40 per angel.
- Gold angels: These sponsorships are for a family with donations amounts left up to sponsors.
- Bells: Donors in this category are purchasing a gift card from Miller’s Fresh Foods in Mayville, Hatton or Hillsboro to give to a family or individual in need. The recommended value is $30 per bell.
- Stars: Donors should purchase a household necessities gift basket that can include items ranging from dish soap and towels to deodorant to toothpaste. Other items could include laundry soap, light bulbs, laundry baskets, cleaning supplies and batteries. The suggested spending limit for stars is $30.
“Historically we have a very generous community,” Jacobson said. “People are kind-hearted and want to help neighbors in need. We use 100 percent of the donations in order to deliver this project.”
Angel Giving Trees are available at The Goose River Bank locations in Hillsboro, Mayville and Hatton, Mayville State University’s student union and Dakota Heritage Bank in Galesburg, N.D.
Donors also can contact Michelle Bye with the Mayville State University Child Development Program at 701-788-4604.
Donors are asked to wrap and label gifts and include gift receipts in case items need to be exchanged.
Donations should be dropped off at Goose River Bank locations, the MSU Child Development Programs in Mayville or Agassiz Valley Social Services in Hillsboro by 4 p.m. Dec. 10.
Distribution will be Dec. 17 at Mayville Lutheran Church.
Tax-deductible donations also can be sent to Traill County Community Giving Projects, c/o MSU Child Development Programs, 330 3rd St. N.E., Mayville, ND 58257.
For more information, or to find out how to participate, contact Agassiz Valley Social Services at 701-636-5220 or Mayville State University Child Development Programs at 701-788-4868.