The Giving Tree: A Spirit And Tradition Of Generosity

The Christmas season is filled with many traditions and exciting events. From decorating cookies to Christmas parties, there is never a shortage of joyful, memory-making moments. At Saint Michael Parish, there is a great tradition of generosity that has been taking place for over two decades — the Giving Tree, which helps support veterans and children in the community to make sure that everyone has a gift at Christmas.

Parishioner Rich Pallechio has been involved in coordinating this ministry since it began.

“We get the requests from the families in the Tumwater School District and put together tags like you would see on a Giving Tree,” Rich says. “We give a Mass announcement the first weekend and we hand them out. Then, we stand back and watch our parishioners do their thing. I have never had any tags left over after the second weekend.

“What stands out to me year after year is the generosity of our Saint Michael Parish community,” he adds. “Thinking about it nearly makes me tear up and talking about it almost always does. The first few years I did it, I’d make a sign-up sheet where people would record their names and phone numbers and the tag number they took, so I could make sure I accounted for all of them. After a few years, I stopped doing this because everyone who participated was very good about returning the tag with the gift.”

For over 25 years, this was our Giving Tree process — however, last year, things changed. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the event shifted from personalized gifts to requesting gift cards to give to the families.

“Starting last year, and continuing this year, we are asking parishioners to donate gift cards which will be given to our partner organizations to distribute,” says Kellie Patton, Steward for Community Outreach. “We partner with Catholic Community Services, Drexel House, and Tumwater Lions Club. We provide them with gift cards to distribute to children and veterans in need.”

This year, the parish has a goal of collecting 500 gift cards in the amount of $25 each. The gift cards requested are for Target, Amazon, or Fred Meyer.

“We have seen a huge increase in our community of children whose families are financially stressed,” Kellie says. “The Giving Tree is a special way to ensure that 500 children and veterans in our community receive a gift at Christmas.” The spirit and tradition of the parish in the past have encouraged everyone that the goals will be met. “Truthfully, seeing how our parishioners respond makes me very proud to be a member of Saint Michael Parish,” Rich says.

Gift Cards can either be brought to the reception window or mailed to the parish office at: Saint Michael Parish Attn: Giving Tree PO Box 766 Olympia, WA 98507 The deadline is Dec 12.