Published: December 04, 2007 09:13 am         

Angels number 460 for this year's 'Angel Tree' project

From Staff Reports

Phase I of this year's Tommy's Angel Tree ended Saturday with the completion of sign ups, bringing to about 460 the number of angels registered for this year's community gift-giving project.

Parents wishing to sign their children age 12 and under were required to provide proof of income, proof of residence, a birth certificate for each child and the child's Social Security number.

Mineral Wells Volunteer Fire Department sponsors the project. Fire Chief Steve Perdue said the number of registered underprivileged children this year is down from previous years.

“The downturn is a good sign - a sign that the Mineral Wells-area economy is on the upturn,” Perdue said. “However, the need for each of those 460 children is real and their Christmas will be brighter because of the generosity of the citizens of Mineral Wells through their support of Angel Tree.”

Angels are on trees at Wal-Mart, Dollar General downtown, Brazos Factory Outlet, First State Bank and CitiBank.

“It is the hope of the Angel Tree guardians that each of these angels will find a home and that gifts for these angels will be purchased and either left at the store of purchase or brought to Mineral Wells Fire Station No. 1 before Dec. 10,” said Perdue. “This way they can be wrapped and delivered early on Dec. 15.”

Perdue said the goal is to provide each angel with the toy of their choice, a suit of clothes and a pair of shoes at a minimum. For those Angels who do not receive each of those items, Angel Tree guardians will purchase the needed items to reach that goal. Funds to support this project may be mailed to Tommy's Angel Tree, P.O. Box 832, Mineral Wells, TX 76068.

Other projects are on going to assist Angel Tree. A Diamond Miss Beauty Contest was conducted Saturday with proceeds going to Angel Tree. Radio Station 92.1-FM in connection with Century 21 Properties Unlimited is hosting a “Stuff the Bus” at the Century 21 location this Friday. Smitty's Cycles is sponsoring a motorcycle ride this Saturday beginning at 10 a.m. from the cycle shop on U.S. Highway 180 East. Many groups are hosting Christmas parties with gifts going to Angel Tree.

Wrapping parties will be announced as gifts begin to come in, Perdue said, adding those times and dates will be announced in the local media.

He added the community is invited to come out on Saturday, Dec. 15, at 8 a.m. to deliver gifts. Meet at the Old Goodyear Building at 300 S. Oak Ave. to “find out the true meaning of Christmas,” he said. “Mineral Wells is a caring community and that caring shows through in so many ways. We invite you to be a part of this community project.”