Angel Trees To Brighten Holiday For Less Fortunate In Council Rock

NEWTOWN, PA — More than 1,200 angels will be taking flight throughout the Council Rock School District over the next few weeks, making the holiday season a little brighter for the area’s less fortunate children and their families.

Newtown Rotarian and Angel Tree project coordinator Paul Salvatore tells Patch that the angel trees are now up and in place at the Newtown Post Office and at the Free Library of Northampton Township in Richboro.

Each of the angels adorning the trees is affixed with gift ideas for a child or a family identified as eligible recipients through the school lunch program and by the Council Rock School District’s social workers and school nurses.

In addition, a third angel tree at the Newtown Presbyterian Church includes the wishes of between 25 and 30 homeless families living in the motels along Route One and Route 13.

Participation is easy, said Salvatore. Just visit one of the trees, select an angel from the tree, purchase the gift ideas printed on the angel, make sure to attach the angel to the package and return it to the post office and library – unwrapped – by Friday, Dec. 13.

“It’s that simple,” said Salvatore. “Please stop by the Newtown Post Office or the Free Library of
Northampton Township and select an angel to make a family happy,” added Salvatore. “This is as important for the people who participate as it is for the “people who receive because it’s the spirit of the holiday. That’s what it’s all about. It’s about giving, not receiving.”

Helping to decorate the Angel Tree at the Free Library of Northampton are director Wayne Lahr and Megan Geist from circulation. (Jeff Werner/Patch)

The gifts range from toys to art supplies and are for anyone from infant to young adult and could include a house gift, like a toaster or a coffeemaker. Some of the requests are for gift cards, which can be used by the recipient to purchase items that they need, like underwear, hats, scarfs, gloves, etc.

For those who can’t make it to the post office or library, the Newtown Rotary will be accepting online donations which will be used to purchase gifts and gift cards for the students and to support a holiday luncheon at the homeless shelter. All online donations are being matched – dollar for dollar -matched up to $5,000 by the Gene and Marlene Epstein Foundation.

When making a donation online, make sure to direct your donation to the Angel Tree project.

This year the need continues to be great, even in the affluent Council Rock School District where more than 110 families and more than 200 children will benefit.

“There are people out there who have been impacted by inflation. They are hurting,” said Salvatore. “It’s making it hard for many to make ends meet.

“And that’s the nice thing about our community. When people are down, they reach deeper to give and to help,” said Salvatore, who considers everyone who takes an angel from a tree and fulfills the wish an angel themselves for helping others.

“I have a sign at the post office that reads, ‘Be an angel. Take an angel.’ Everyone needs an angel on their side,” he said. “No matter who you are, every so often you hit a little rough patch. And then someone steps in to give you a hand. That’s your angel. So these people who take an angel off of the tree, they become an angel themselves because they are helping to make someone’s holiday special.”

(Jeff Werner/Patch)

Salvatore gives credit to the administration, the nurses and social workers in Council Rock for making the Angel Tree project possible. He said they have quietly worked behind the scenes for years through the Angel Tree and other projects to make a difference in the lives of students and families.

“They don’t get the credit they deserve for the work they do,” he said. “How they get these names together, it’s unbelievable. And the dedication they put into this. They’re not getting paid to do this. They’re doing it out of love and because they care about and are dedicated to these kids. Council Rock is lucky to have them.”

And then there are the ever-faithful volunteers who help transport loads of gifts from the post office and the library to the church and then help with sorting. They include members of the Newtown Rotary Club and members, friends and youth from the Newtown Presbyterian Church.

The Angel Trees have become a family tradition for many in the Newtown area, notes Salvatore. “You’ll see parents come out. They look for a little boy or a little girl and the kids pick them off the tree. It’s just great that people give.”

Salvatore got involved in the Angel Tree project decades ago when the Northampton Women’s Club needed extra help with the project.

“We took the Newtown Borough, Newtown Township, Wrightstown and Upper Makefield area and they took Northampton,” said Salvatore. “That worked okay for a couple of years before their group disbanded and we took over the whole thing.”

Salvatore, working with the school nurses and social workers, recruited volunteers from the community to continue the effort.

The donated and unwrapped gifts should be returned to the post office and library no later than Dec. 13 if not sooner. They will then be sorted by youth and volunteers at the Newtown Presbyterian Church on Dec. 15 and distributed to the neediest in the area on Monday, Dec. 16 just in time for the holiday season.

Salvatore said one of the best parts of the project is seeing the end result, which many don’t get to experience due to privacy issues.

“You’ll see the tears of joy as we’re giving them the gifts. And they’ll tell you, ‘I didn’t know what I was going to do.’ For everyone who takes an angel, I want them to think about that. You’re making a difference where it counts the most.”

If anyone wants an angel and can’t make it to the library or post office they can contact Salvatore by calling 215-312-3527 or email salvatorepaul@hotmail.com