Serving those most in need

Boxes of gift packages were piled in the former lobby of the Bengoechea Hotel, which served as this year's Giving Tree headquarters.

The season of giving arrived Monday morning without the blare of music or the seemingly endless spectacle of bargains and last-minute deals.

With quiet humility and little fanfare, a handful of families stopped at a nondescript building on the city's west side seeking a glimmer of hope and a little holiday spirit. In many cases, it was the only chance they had to provide a little something for their children on Christmas Day.

Celebrating more than 20 years in the community, the Giving Tree program helps make life a little easier for these families who otherwise had no reason to celebrate during this season of giving. Dozens of volunteers pulled together to extend a hand of compassion to those most in need as they struggled with overwhelming financial hardships.

Without the Giving Tree, the children of these families faced the real possibility of waking up Christmas morning with nothing beneath their trees.

The Giving Tree spirit actually started a few weeks back as volunteers set up trees across the community, each one bearing tags with information on children who needed everything from a new winter coat to a full set of clothing. By accepting one of these tags, people would essentially "adopt" these children to help make their Christmas wishes come true.

This desire to help others reached all the way out to Mountain Home Air Force Base where dozens of airmen and their families joined forces to buy gifts for youngsters in need.

Among these people was Staff Sgt. Patrick Mackey, who helped organize the effort for the 366th Logistics Readiness Squadron. Their support alone provided presents for 53 children this year -- nearly 20 more than last year, according to the sergeant.

"Any help you can provide" to someone in need is always appreciated, said Mackey, who had additional gifts to drop off last Thursday.

Others like Senior Airman Joseph Bolus arrived shortly afterward with more packages of goodies. The logistics airman had presents for another 11 children last Wednesday and expected to bring in more the following day.

All of these gifts ended up at the Bengoechea Hotel, which served as this year's Giving Tree headquarters. In addition to store-bought presents, people used their talents to create boxes of additional hand-crafted gifts. Dozens of fleece blankets and toys made from the same material filled one corner of the hotel's former lobby while boxes of wooden toys and hand-sewn pajamas, hats, gloves and clothes filled additional boxes in a back room.

Using a well-rehearsed routine, volunteers inventoried each gift and compared them to a master roster containing the names of 427 children from nearly 190 families in the local area. When a children's list of needs was met, the gifts went over to people like Leslie Goddard, who individually wrapped each one.

"I like to do it; this is Christmas as far as I'm concerned. It shows the generosity of the Mountain Home community," said Goddard, who has volunteered her time to help wrap gifts for the Giving Tree program the past three years.

This year's effort marked several significant changes in the Giving Tree effort, according to group spokesperson Lauri Erickson.

"We're caring for the same number of people this year" but placing more focus on children and young teens this year, she said.

The reason stems from a roughly $2,000 shortfall in anticipated funds after Giving Tree representatives cancelled their main fundraiser, originally scheduled for this fall.

"We faced having to directly compete with all these other fundraisers that were happening at the same time," Erickson said.

In addition, their effort fell between two major community events.

But even without this additional funding, the Giving Tree didn't waiver in its commitment to helping as many people as possible. Erickson credited the tremendous outpouring of generosity from local groups and organizations that provided the needed money and resources to make everything work as planned.

"The support in this community is overwhelming," Erickson said. "People continue stepping up to help. It's truly beautiful to see this type of help, and I'm glad to be a part of it."