December 2017

These include gaming consoles,
iPods, cameras, and computers.
Gift cards from Walmart, Target,
or VISA/AMEX are also accepted
to help adults and seniors pay for
food and gas. In order to arrange
for these items to be picked up,
email GivingTreeBoca@gmail.com.
During the holiday season, it is also
possible to drop the donations off at
this year’s volunteer location.
While year-round donations and
volunteer work is encouraged,
The Giving Tree offers a special
opportunity to those in the
community during the holiday
season. The Holiday Gift Program
consists of children’s Wish Lists.
Those who volunteer to participate in this event will receive a
Wish List from a child who has found himself in a circumstance
that prevents him from receiving any gifts for the holiday
season. The volunteer who is assigned the Wish List is in
charge of shopping for this child’s desired Christmas items,
which the volunteer will later drop off at this year’s volunteer
location. Although the child’s identity and personal details
remain anonymous, the donor will be left knowing that they
played a part in helping a child smile on Christmas morning.
The Giving Tree is an organization that
has not only had a positive effect on
those in need, but also on those who
have participated as volunteers.
Judy Gordon, one of the co-chairs of the organization, claims
that her work with The Giving Tree has allowed her to obtain
a better understanding of the amount of need within the
community that surrounds us. Judy said, “Right here in our
own backyard, there are children who go without meals and
don’t have the necessary things to help them be successful.”
So often, we feel as though helping people is beyond our
abilities. Either the people in need are too far away or the
amount of help needed is too great. Thanks to organizations
such as The Giving Tree, people are granted an opportunity to
help those in need. Judy said, “People are so generous. They
don’t know how to give, so when they hear about us, it gives
them the opportunity.”
Donations, no matter how large or small, as well as time
spent volunteering, no matter how long or short, make all the
difference in the world to someone without means. P
For more information on how you
can help, email The Giving Tree at
TheGivingTreeBoca@gmail.com or call
Temple Beth El at 561-391-8900.
the PARKLANDER 23