The lobby of the Student Recreation Center, Bookpeople of Moscow, Walmart and the Eastside Market all have one thing in common this time of year — giving trees.
Giving trees are usually pine trees, much like Christmas trees, are and are decorated with tree tags. Tree tags have gift selections for local children who will be given a gift. Children who receive a tree tag can be as young as 3 months and as old as 18 years old.
Each of the these giving trees, goes to help Christmas for Kids, a local non-profit dedicated to providing Christmas gifts and warm clothes to low income children in Latah County, said Jeanne Gaylor, a volunteer with Christmas for Kids.
“We basically provide Christmas for needy kids in Latah County, most specifically Moscow. The level of poverty here in Moscow is about 10 percent, we have a fairly high level of poverty,” said Faye Nagler, a volunteer.
Gaylor, who has volunteered with Christmas for Kids since 2000, said the group has been putting up a giving tree since the 90’s.
She said the group has four volunteers on its board.
Gaylor said Christmas for Kids hopes to provide gifts to about 150 families and 450 children with the numerous giving trees around town this year.
“We work with other organizations within the county to make sure that people within Latah County — but not in Moscow — also get Christmas,” Nagler said. “The volunteers aim to give each child they serve jackets or warm clothes plus a few other gifts.”
Strong said gifts do not have to be wrapped.
All gifts for the Recreation Center tree are due by Friday, while other trees around Moscow will be open until later in the season.
“All of our donations, everything we collect stays here, which is very nice,” Nagler said.
Kali Nelson can be reached at [email protected]