MM: What are the emotions like on distribution day when people receive their gifts? LB: First of all, the many volunteers who help this project put in a lot of time and try to coordinate jobs and their own personal hustle and bustle of the season — so everyone gets a little tired. It all makes it worthwhile, however, to see the looks on faces of all ages when they receive the gifts. I wish everyone who picks up a giving card and fills a need, gives a donation or volunteers their time could see that gratitude. Some people who once were a recipient now give back and volunteer with the project. They tell me things like: “When I was young, I got gifts from the Holiday Sharing Tree. I didn’t know that’s where they came from — only that we got a gift at Christmas. Now that I am older, I realize the generosity of people in this community and now I volunteer my time and fill a need.” And this comment came from a mother of a family: “My husband had lost his job one year and we only had enough money to pay our rent, keep the heat on and buy groceries. We never thought we would be a family who needed help from the Holiday Sharing Tree. However, that year our children would have not have received gifts if it wasn’t for the nice people in this community who helped us. We got back on our feet the next year and now each year after, our family picks up giving cards to help someone else.” MM: There must be a certain stress involved with coordinating this project. Can you tell me about it? LB: The only stress is the worry that all the needs won’t get filled. This project is 35 days long. Within that timeframe, more than 3,000 needs are filled. I just can’t imagine telling someone during distribution that they are not able to receive a gift this year. For most of the recipients, this is the only gift they will receive during the holiday season. Most of the needs are things like a sweatshirt, pair of jeans, socks, personal care items, or Barbie doll — items most of us take for granted every day. There are many volunteers who assist with this project and so many people willing to give, so it makes my job as a project manager very rewarding. MM: What keeps you m o t i vat e d ? What do you find most gratifying about this work? LB: I will have to say each year I have a what I call a “moment,” a m o m e n t where I am overwhelmed with the kind-hearted and generous community.
To volunteer, make a donation, or receive additional information about the Holiday Sharing Tree, go to www.holidaysharingtree.org. A couple years ago, I was having a very busy and stressful day. I received a call from an elementary teacher who said her class had a donation for the Holiday Sharing Tree. I said that was great and I would stop by to pick it up. When I arrived at the school — of course in a hurry — I stepped into the classroom expecting to pick up an envelope containing the donation. The teacher asked if I had a few moments to talk about the project. I said as I was taking off my coat, “Sure, I would love to.” I noticed the elementary class very intuitive about what I was saying. In fact, they were actually anxious to tell me what they had done. Each class member handmade Christmas cards then sold the cards to raise money for the Holiday Sharing Tree. They handed me an envelope with $100 in it. It was like they were handing me a thousand. They were so excited and proud what they had accomplished. We took a class photo and I thanked them for their good work and kind hearts. By the time I reached my car I was in full tears realizing the precious moment I had just witnessed. These are the “moments” this project is filled with each year which make it such a wonderful holiday tradition to be involved with and makes me so grateful of this community. MM: How can people get involved? LB: First of all, they can help by picking up a Holiday Sharing Tree Giving Card and filling a need at any tree location in Mankato or St. Peter. They are: River Hills Mall, Madison East Center, both HyVee locations, Walmart; as well as Nutter Clothing and First National Bank in St. Peter. Make a donation either online or by mail. Donations are used for giving cards not picked up or not returned. This ensures all needs get filled. They can also volunteer time at the Holiday Gift Wrap Center located at River Hills Mall or help with sorting and distribution. To volunteer, make a donation, or receive additional information about the project, go to www.holidaysharingtree.org. M
In 26 years of existence, the Holiday Sharing Tree has never left a gift request unfilled.
MANKATO MAGAZINE • december 2012 • 11