by Tawsha Brinkley-Davenport
With no countywide Angel Tree Program this season, many citizens and businesses owners are trying to create some small miracles for the children and needy families of the county.
Shelly Davis for 25 years was over the “Adopt the Angel Program.” She moved away recently, therefore the program dissipated, because no one took over the program.
“It was extremely rewarding. After the first year we began it just snowballed. We had very few kids the first year. One year we had 400. Last year we had 200. I loved it. We would keep the toys at the radio station in Broken Bow and then at the Broken Bow Church of Christ. Last year was my final year. I had many volunteers. But after my husband and I moved, no one wanted to head up the program full time. It really is a full-time volunteer job. I had to end the program sadly,” said Davis.
Davis commented she would find toys on sale all year long and purchase them. Then beginning in September, she began getting her referrals together. Then she would organize it at the radio station. Later, they set up the trees in various places. Then they had to make sure the gifts were bought. If they weren’t, then the volunteers would purchase them. There are a lot of hidden elves out there. Then they had to deliver them.
“It was a lot of work, but one doesn’t know until they do it how rewarding it truly is. I had children come up to me two and three years later thanking me for the gifts. They would tell me if it wasn’t for the angle tree they wouldn’t have had anything for Christmas. Hearing that and seeing their faces is priceless,” said Davis.
She said there were times when people would abuse the system, but that was very few times. That was why they did referrals. They went through the foster system first. Then DHS. When DHS quit because they didn’t have the manpower or a place to distribute the presents we then went to referrals from the schools. That was a logical answer since the schools knew the children, they saw them on a regular basis.
“We had a mom one time bring all the toys and clothing and return it all to Walmart. Her kids then received nothing. There was nothing we could do. But that was a rarity. For the most part the kids were all helped,” said Davis.
“I am sad that it had to end. But I had to move to Arkansas to take care of my parents. There are several businesses, churches and daycares that have trees now. Perhaps one day someone will take over the county wide “Angel Tree Program,” said Davis.
Other programs
One program that is helping in a toy drive is the “Love of Lillian Foundation by helping foster children. This program is seeking new toys for foster children. For more information about the program contact Bethany Patterson at (580) 212-3777.
“We are putting up our Savage trees in area businesses. It will be paper trees with a Savage arrow on top. All someone has to do if they want to adopt one of our Savage angels is to scan a QR code with their phone that is on the tree, then it will take them to the Amazon wish list. Then they can purchase what the child has wished for. We at the school will take care of the rest. We will make sure it gets directly where it needs to be,” said Bennett Elementary principal Joanna Hall.
This is their second year hosting the Savage angel trees.
“It has been a big success. It was the brainchild of our vice principal Kayla McGee. She is the one that has technical savvy. By doing the QR code and Amazon it makes it all so convenient. No one knows better than we do who is in need. We see the children every day of the week. We know these children well. We not only have the students on the tree, but we have their siblings on the tree too,” said Hall.
Bennett Elementary is also having a can food drive for the program “Kindness at Christmas.”
“We have a contest going on right now. For the grade that raises the most cans they will win an extra recess. The kids love a good competition. We are raising a lot of cans too. We can fill a whole pickup load of cans,” said Hall.
The deadline for the canned foods at Bennett Elementary is December 4. The deadline for the Savage trees at Bennett Elementary is December 16.
“We plan on helping 35 kids this year on our Savage tree,” said Hall.
Andrea Rice-Henkel at Gracefully Yours said they currently don’t have an Angel Tree at their location because their store is so small, but they do have vouchers available for clothing for children and adults.
Christmas charity drive
Donna Smalling and her husband has just recently donated new bikes to the “Love of Lillian Foundation.”
They are also involved in the program for the elderly, “Christmas Charity Drive.” It is a monetary and food donation for the elderly.
“We receive referrals from doctors’ offices and home health. We drop off the boxes and enough food to last a month off at the doctor’s offices and they give them to the patients. Kelly Clardy is over this program,” said Smalling.
They are seeking hams, turkeys, anything for Christmas dinner, sausage, breakfast food, flour, noodles, sugar free items and just anything non-perishable.
“These are for the elderly that are struggling on a fixed income. No one knows them better than their home health workers and their doctor’s office,” said Smalling.
Last year she said they delivered two boxes to a grandfather that was raising five grandkids by himself.
“These are the reasons why we do it. For the people. It is so rewarding to help them, and they so appreciate it. You can’t stop. You have missions right here in McCurtain County. There is a really big need right here in our county,” said Smalling.
This small tree at the Idabel Chamber of Commerce is one of several erected after the loss of the central, countywide Angel Tree organization. (Contributed photo)
KIB Toy Drive
Another big fundraiser for children in the county is the Kiamichi Independent Bikers.
“Each year we gather new toys for the kids of McCurtain County. One year we had $12,000 worth of toys. We set up at Broken Bow Walmart and Idabel. Dollar General in Valliant. Family Dollar in Valliant. Dollar Tree in Valliant.
The collection days are set as Nov. 29, 30 and Dec.6.
“We will all meet up December 7 at Harbor Freight for distribution. In a few days we will finalize where we are going to distribute the toys,” said Loyd.
The bikers have been involved in the toy drive for 15 years.
“The toys all go to the kids of McCurtain County. People can donate new toys or money. If they donate money. We will use that money to purchase toys at whatever store we are parked at. That way we are helping out the store like they are helping out us. Surprising the little stores have been doing really well the last few years,” said Loyd.
Any biker group is welcome to come and help them.
“The Christian Motorcycle Association helps us a lot, but any biker club is welcome as well. We would love to see them. We have a great time doing this. Please come out and help the kids of McCurtain County. We have a lot of really good people here. Let’s all get into the Christmas spirit and make if fun for the kids,” said Loyd.
For more information about KIB call Ronnie Loyd at (580) 236-5567 or Minerva Loyd at (580) 236-4767.
“Most of the people that give the donations are the same people that give donations over and over every year. We need more people to donate as well. It’s a blessing to help. It makes you feel good to help someone that is in need,” said Smalling.
Some of the angel trees in McCurtain County so far can be found at the Idabel Chamber of Commerce, Kate’s Quick Stop and Country Store in Haworth, and some area daycares,
“We appreciate any and all of the community support. It is a wonderful area and such a giving area that we live in. Thanks to everyone for making our kids have a happy Christmas,” said Hall and McGee.
