A look at some of the presents for the Angel Tag program
For the 16th year, Kirkwood students and employees donate for thousands of Tanager Place youth
On the surface, it seems a simple proposition: Take a tag off a tree, buy a gift and return it to a collection point. That has been the yearly appeal from Tanager Place, to benefit their many young people in their care. As their youth client ranks have grown, so has the generous response of people in the area at the holiday season.
This December, the leading organization helping the Angel Trees cause is once again Kirkwood Community College. With student club efforts working alongside the quiet generosity of unnamed donors, Kirkwood has fulfilled the wishes of more than 450 Tanager children in the 2013 Angel Trees campaign.
On December 9, a U-Haul truck stood in for a sleigh. Students and staff loaded the hundreds of gifts for transport to Tanager Place’s south Cedar Rapids headquarters, ready to brighten young lives in the care agency’s care.
Mary Huffman is an office associate in Kirkwood’s Student Life office and has seen the gift giving grow greatly since the initial donations in 1997.
“I know we put out about 110 Angel tags on trees the first year, and it has grown a bit every year,” Huffman recalls. “We put up trees in several spots around campus, and people pick out tags to get gifts for these young people. It’s a joy to see people get into the spirit of helping these kids enjoy a happier Christmas.”
In addition to individual efforts, the Angel Tree project gets a yearly boost from fund-raising of campus clubs and organizations. “We have so many clubs that get involved, it’s really amazing,” Huffman added. “The Ag Science students have been terrific this year, with the Saddle Club, Hoof & Horn, Forget-Me-Nots and the Landscape Club groups all donating from their fund-raising work.”
The holiday spirit inspired donations from all corners of the Kirkwood campus. If any Angel Tags are left, people step forward—often anonymously—to make sure all the wishes are answered.
“Several faculty and staff people have quietly given hundreds, even thousands of dollars toward the Tanager gifts. It is truly heartwarming!” Huffman added.
The campus generosity also got a classroom boost at least once. Kirkwood Business and IT instructor Todd Saville put the Angel Trees project on his Principles of Selling course plan, making the gift-giving a final goal of his course work.
“Our students raised about a thousand dollars through coupon book sales. They decided the proceeds would go to Tanager Place kids. It was the first year I extended the fundraising effort to the classroom and students really embraced it and had fun,” Saville said. “What made it special was not only applying their skills outside the classroom, but the pride in knowing it was helping others in need. Real experience, making a real difference – it doesn’t get much better than that!”
Tanager Place staffers say the Kirkwood donations are the “single largest company or organization” supporting the Angel Trees project over the last several years.
“Every year we are amazed at the generosity of our donors. They far exceed our expectations,” said Director of Community Relations Joan Hackbarth. “It’s humbling to be a part of something so inspiring for the greater good of thousands of children.”
This year, Tanager Place served more than 4,000 children and their families who struggle with mental or psychological challenges. Their programs include both inpatient and outpatient services. The Tanager Angel Tag program was aided by nearly three- dozen local businesses and organizations including Kirkwood.
“Through the efforts of these generous employees and community members, thousands of children are given a gift during the holiday season, and reminded that someone is thinking of them,” Hackbarth added.
More information on the mission and services of Tanager Place is available through the organization’s website: www.tanagerplace.org.