Town schools form branches of Project Giving Tree
“Project Giving Tree is a joint effort of the parent-teacher organizations at Farragut Primary, Intermediate, Middle and High schools,” lead coordinator LeighAnna Colgrove said. “We are all working together to support Farragut families in need of extra help this holiday season.
“It’s been going for several years,” she added. “I’ve been involved as the lead coordinator since 2018, and it had been around at least five years before that.
“It started as a program at the middle school only, and it’s continued to grow over the years.”
Now, “we all cooperate together so that if any child is identified to have a need for holiday gift assistance in Farragut schools, we serve them and their entire families from birth to age 18,” Colgrove said. “We work to collect donated funds, gift cards and toys.
“We currently have nearly 200 children from 75 families who will be served by our 2023 Giving Tree, and applications are still coming in,” she added. “We aim to cover the costs of a new warm outfit and a toy or gift for each child in the program. We also provide food assistance for each family.
“… We hope our Farragut community will give back to this important holiday campaign. There are several ways to support Project Giving Tree. “
One way is with online donations, which can be made at “https://app.memberhub.gives/2023farragutgivingtree/Campaign/Details”app.memberhub.gives/2023farragutgivingtree or via Venmo at @FarragutMiddleSchoolPTO.
“Families with children attending Farragut public schools can also send gift cards to schoolS in an envelope marked ‘Giving Tree,’” Colgrove said. “Gift cards to local stores are recommended but all is appreciated.
The deadline to donate is Monday, Dec. 4. Families pick up their gifts Thursday, Dec. 7.
“For those who wish to donate toys, we are grateful to collect new, unwrapped toys at two locations this year: Farragut Community Center (239 Jamestown Blvd.) and Mansour Hasan State Farm (10811 Kingston Pike),” she said. “The toy collection provides a great way for those who wish to shop directly for a child to support Project Giving Tree.
“Project Giving Tree also is proud to partner with several of our student organizations at both Farragut Middle and High schools,” Colgrove said. “Sponsors at FHS include Farragut Dugout Club, Future Farmers of America and National Technical Honor Society.”
She said several sports teams at FMS also are participating. “Every gift and every sponsor helps make the holidays a little bit brighter,” Colgrove said.
For more information, e-mail”farragutgivingtree@gmail.com.
