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Angel Tree Program Extends Reach, Asks Public To Pitch In

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By YVETTE C. HAMMETT | The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 12, 2008

APOLLO BEACH - Some of the area's neediest angels will have their names plucked from a tree this holiday season.

Calvary Lutheran Church is hoping that this year, with the economy in such poor shape, that the public will pitch in to provide some of the most basic needs for 500 youngsters.

"Some of these children are so needy, they don't even ask for toys, just clothes," said Mary Ann Hohler, who for the past three years has served as lead shopper for the church's Angel Tree program.

"We are a small church with a lot of children to accommodate," she said. "It's sad we can't do more for them."

This year's Angel Tree projects kicks off Nov. 23 and lasts through Dec. 14.

"Ours is a church of outreach," said project co-chair Norma Kitzman. "To touch the lives of others, to be the face of Christ. This program is not a job for us. It's a passion of love."

Four area schools – Cypress Creek Elementary and Beth Shields Middle School in Ruskin and Corr Elementary and Eisenhower Middle School in Gibsonton submit names to the church for children up to 15 years old. The church also provides for 150 kids who receive services from the Redlands Christian Migrant Association.

Church members pluck angel cards from the tree with a child's name, age, gender, clothes sizes and a toy, then purchase those items. Hohler and six to eight other shoppers take the remaining tags and purchase what they can for the children.

For one family this year, the hope is to get cases of liquefied food to feed a child who must be tube fed.
"If I can get five cases of the formula, then we will also get clothes and a toy for that child," Kitzman said.

The shoppers keep a keen eye out for sales and regularly shop at the Ruskin Bealls Outlet store to chalk up punches on their discount cards.

With two filled discount cards, plus their senior discounts, the shoppers can get 35 percent off their purchases, up to $1,000, Hohler said.

Bealls Outlet is also giving a discount punch for each food item donated to the church's Community Cupboard food pantry.

"This year, we started early, so the congregation can start shopping the day after Thanksgiving, when there are MP3 players on sale in Brandon for $10," Kitzman said.

"It's a very touching program," Hohler said. "But it's also very rewarding."

GET INVOLVED

Donations can be dropped off at Calvary Lutheran Church, 5309 U.S. 41 N., Apollo Beach, or call (813) 645-1305 if you want to help.

Reporter Yvette C. Hammett can be reached at (813) 865-1566.

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