With the help of BankTrust, we plan on starting a new holiday tradition in our household. Inspired in part by the annual Angel Tree efforts of Jason Cannon, Blythe and I will spend some time shopping for a little boy we’ve never met.

He actually may be the easiest person on our shopping list.

All we know about him is that he is 12 years old, he likes cars, trucks and wrestling. And we have his clothing sizes.

We’re actually pretty excited about the opportunity to brighten the holiday season for one child whose Christmas may not otherwise be so merry.

I remember being a 12-year-old boy who liked cars and trucks and wrestling. So shopping for this young man will be a lot like shopping for a 12-year-old Jeremy.

For the benefit of those unfamiliar with the Angel Tree, BankTrust partners with the Salvation Army each year to pair up less fortunate children with community members willing to share the holiday spirit.

Each participating child has the appropriate information written on a paper ornament and hung on a tree. Community members peruse the tree at BankTrust and find a child to “adopt” as their angel.

From there, they get to play Santa for someone who may never see their face. Pretty cool idea.

It is recommended that shoppers hover around the $50 mark, but that is far from a mandate. Participating community members are provided with sizes for clothing and toy suggestions, so the potential Christmas haul for each child is largely limitless and based solely upon the discretion of the shopper.

After the shopping is done, the gifts are to be left unwrapped and taken to BankTrust where they will await pickup by Santa’s elves at the Salvation Army.

So Blythe and I aim to adopt a child off the tree each year that we possibly can, embarking on a tradition of sharing we intend to instill in our children early on in their lives.

If you get the opportunity and are looking for a way to give this holiday season, there will be opportunities aplenty. Whether it is the BankTrust Angel Tree or some other avenue, giving really is better than receiving.

 

Jeremy D. Smith is the community editor of The Demopolis Times.