Copyright © 2004 NLThomas
All Rights Reserved
Copyright © 2004 CNO
TAHLEQUAH, OKLAHOMA - The Cherokee Nation recently kicked of its annual Angel Tree project with youthful voices singing, refreshments and a few laughs. Although the kick-off ceremony was lots of fun, the Cherokee Nation Angel Tree is a very serious project. The Cherokee Nation Angel Tree began in the early 1990's as a volunteer project to provide Christmas gifts to children in tribal custody and has expanded today to include other needy children in the Cherokee Nation's jurisdictional area. The Angel Tree, which is located in the lobby of the Cherokee Nation Complex, is decorated with angels bearing the sex, age, sizes, and gift ideas of needy children.
Denise Honowa, CN employee, selects
an angel from the Cherokee Nation
Angel Tree.
"This is my favorite time of year," said Hettie Charboneua, Angel Tree co-coordinator. "It makes me so happy to know that we're helping make Christmas special for children that might not otherwise have Christmas gifts. I love listening to Christmas carols and enjoy working with the volunteers. It's the volunteers that make the Angel Tree a success each year. Many people spend hours shopping for gifts and wrapping presents. But the greatest volunteers are those that adopt angels."
Cherokee Nation employees and community members are encouraged to take an angel from the tree and purchase whatever they can afford for the selected child. The attached label must be filled out and placed in the box beside the tree so that the Cherokee Nation has a record of the name of the person buying gifts.
"Being a part of a group of people willing to reach out to others is really rewarding," said Labrandia Lemly, Angel Tree co-coordinator. "I've done this for the past four years and it reminds me that there is still goodwill for mankind out there. We see people come in and stand around the tree looking for their perfect choice. Watching them come back in with gifts is really special. Their face is a picture of happiness. That's why I keep doing it year after year."
Last year more that 1,000 children received gifts and it's expected that the Cherokee Nation Angel Tree will help that many children again this year. Much of the financial support for the Cherokee Nation Angel Tree comes from Cherokee Nation Enterprises and local businesses.
Each year Cherokee Nation Enterprises makes a sizable contribution that enables staff and volunteers to buy gifts for the children. Local businesses, churches and civic organizations also organize toy drives. The goal of the Angel Tree staff this year is to ensure that each child gets a stuffed animal or toy.
"We couldn't do it without the financial contributions and toys," Charboneau said. "With so many children in need, we really rely on financial contributions."
There is another benefit to the Cherokee Nation of having an Angel Tree, and that is the referrals they receive this time of year. According to Shannon Chesser, co-coordinator, many people come in each year with real needs other than Christmas gifts for their children.
"Each year, people come in who have lost their jobs or hit a rough spot and they need basic things like food, help with their utilities—basic, everyday living needs," Chesser said. "We're able to point them to programs and services both here in the Cherokee Nation and outside that will meet those needs. That's what makes the Cherokee Nation Angel Tree project so special. We're interested in not only making sure that Indian children have Christmas gifts, but ensuring that Indian families are getting the help they need to get back on their feet. It's about us coming together and making peoples lives better."
To be eligible to be an angel on the Cherokee Nation Angel Tree, the family must meet financial guidelines and the children must have Certificate Degree of Indian Blood (CDIB) cards. Applications are only accepted the first two weeks of November.
If you're interested in selecting an angel from the Angel Tree, drop by the Cherokee Nation Complex or call the Angel Tree staff, phone: 918-456-0671 (ext.2516). Gifts should be returned to the Cherokee Nation Angel Tree office by Monday, December 13, 2004.
| Related Cherokee Nation contact information: |
|
Mike Miller, Cherokee Nation Director of Communications Phone: 918-456-0671 (ext.2210) Fax: 918-458-5580 E-mail: Communications@cherokee.org
Larry Daugherty, Advertising Manager |
Steven Swogger, Agriculture Liaison Natural Resources Department Phone: 918-456-0671 (ext.2546) FAX: 918-458-7673 E-mail: sswogger@cherokee.org
Bradley D. Peak, Cherokee Nation |