Pauls Valley, OK, Pauls Valley Democrat

Local News

Related Photos

  • Helping to make at least a few more Christmas experiences brighter, Mary Fajt is seen here recently wrapping presents for the Angel Tree program. Geared toward kids who might not get gifts in Pauls Valley otherwise, several volunteers were needed to once again make the holiday tradition possible. Ezra Mann

    Angel Tree Volunteer

Discussion

December 27, 2012

Angels helping those who are less fortunate

Ezra Mann Pauls Valley Democrat

emann@pvdemocrat.com — The meaning of Christmas has always brought warmth to hearts be it among loved ones or family, but for a set of Pauls Valley volunteers it comes from finding a supply where one might not expect plenty.

It happens each year through the area’s Angel Tree program; a certain magic found in the eyes of children who might not be able to celebrate the same day otherwise. As some of those gifts are opened today or the next, those like Lynn Littrell have had just as much joy getting another chance to wrap and collect the gifts generously donated from the community.

“It’s helping children that are less fortunate in the community,” said Littrell. “It’s just so they can get to have a Christmas.”

Though the volunteers come from different walks of life, one group from the Department of Human Services Disability Services Division has made it a regular tradition of getting together for the cause, including Littrell, who lives in Marlow and usually handles the foster grandparents program.

She said it takes a lot of people to get all the work done and according to another volunteer Robin Hays, there were about 270 kids, each getting a couple of gifts this time around.

“We all get excited to come every year,” said Mary Fajt, who works as a case manager and noted how it’s been about 8 years of participation for the group. “It takes a lot to wrap all of these.”

For others like Guardianship Coordinator Tony Digby, it has a much more personal meaning since he has helped kids previously in child welfare and now is able to give in a different way. He said it’s worth taking time off from work to make sure kids are not left out of the joy of a surprise unwrapping.

“I used to work child welfare so this kind of hits home,” said Digby. “That’s what keeps me coming.”

Helping lead the way pretty much from the beginning has been volunteer Billie Hays, who never tires of sharing the generosity she’s seen from the people who make it possible, be it the host location First Christian Church or people forgoing so someone else can have what they might have taken for granted.

She said this year has not been any easier to provide as families seem to be even needier this time around, though just when it seems needs won’t be met, that’s when people step up to a whole new level.

In the end, the benefits go further than all the people that can be thanked and also includes donations of blankets for those under 1-year-old as well as clothing, food and gifts if families need assistance there as well, said Hays.

She is pleased no one will be left out and always looks forward to how people will amaze her next time.

“It’s like God gives a gift and we just share,” said Hays. “Friends have banded together and instead of buying each other gifts, they do this.”

Text Only
Local News
Business Marquee

e-Edition
  • How You Want It When You Want It Today's Pauls Valley Democrat

    Now you can view and download the Democrat right to your desktop on the day the paper is published. Click here to get more information on the Democrat's e-Edition.

     

    CLICK HERE TO ACCESS THE E-EDITION SITE

     

    ATTENTION CURRENT DEMOCRAT SUBSCRIBERS TO START an e-EDITION

    e-mail request to sjohnson@pvdemocrat.com

    April 20, 2011 1 Photo 1 Link

AP Video
Johnson: Don't Blame Islam or UK Policy Raw: 80-Year-Old Climbs Mount Everest Wash. State Man Arrested Following Ricin Scare Chain-Reaction School Bus Crash Injures About 50 Raw: Scuffles in London After Hacking Death Texas Students Coach Teachers on Fitness New Forecasting Tool Eyed for Hurricane Season Meet MJ, the Bike Riding Tabby Cat Britain Attack Believed Linked to Radical Islam Raw: Kevin Durant Tours Moore After $1M Pledge Man Shot While Questioned in Boston Probe Weiner Launches Bid to Become NYC Mayor Okla. Teens Get Video of Deadly Tornado Overhead School Storm Protection Spotty in Tornado Zones 9-year-old Tornado Victim Loved Family, Singing Moore Native Toby Keith Tours Tornado Damage Oklahoma Survivors, Heroes Survey Damage Raw: Aftermath of Deadly Attack in London Paperless Scanner, Vision of the Future
Stocks
Community Calendar
Loading…
Events by eviesays.com
Facebook