North Texas Daily

By Isaac Wright / Senior Staff Writer –

With the holiday season fast approaching, the Student Government Association is trying to help local children enjoy a merry Christmas.

The association has partnered with the Lewisville Salvation Army for the project. Three paper Christmas trees and thin paper strips hung in the SGA’s office represent the needs of children. Each paper bears an underprivileged child’s name and two items they would like for Christmas: something they need, such as clothing, and something they want, such as toys.

“When I wanted to do a Christmas philanthropy, the first thing that popped into my mind was Angel Tree,” said Ciara Tristan, director of leadership and development for the SGA.

This is the second year the group has created an Angel Tree. Tristan, who organized the project, said she wanted to keep the tradition going.

The Angel Tree program is a national event supported by the Salvation Army, but, Tristan said, any organization can participate.

Tristan said she felt strongly about making those children’s wishes come true.

“These are little kids and they see Christmas, but they don’t get to experience it like everyone else,” Tristan said. “When you’re picking that angel up, what you’re getting that child might be all that they’re getting.”

The SGA received 35 angels to put on the tree from the Salvation Army. Ten were gone in the first day, Tristan said.

Mercedes Fulbright, vice president of the SGA, said the project helps people in the association and other departments on campus come together to help children in the Denton and Lewisville area.

The SGA is the student-led governmental body of UNT.

Because the Salvation Army is such a large, well-known organization, Fulbright said, the SGA hopes it will help draw people in to participate in the project. Furthermore, she said, it helps display the group’s commitment to helping the community.

“It shows that we are about service and that we can help the Denton community,” she said.

Anyone can take one of the angels, and the trees have drawn the support of students and UNT employees.

One of them is Amy Fuller, administrative coordinator for the Center for Student Rights and Responsibilities. The Angel Tree project is something she participates in every year with her children, she said. Fuller said seeing a student group take on the project is a great development.

“It’s a great cause,” Fuller said. “It helps children get things they need each Christmas.”