Bryan County Family Connection is again working this year to ensure every child in the area has a happy holiday. The nonprofit’s annual Angel Tree initiative is well under way, and a number of local churches, organizations and businesses have volunteered to “host” a tree.
The Angel Tree program is designed to determine and fulfill the Christmas wishes of disadvantaged Bryan County children. All benefitting families are vetted by Family Connection, and parents or guardians provide the agency with a list for each child that includes special wants, likes toys, games or clothing. Donors across Bryan County then have the opportunity to “adopt” each of these “Angels” by visiting one of the many Angel Trees and selecting an ornament with a specific gift written on it. Donors then turn in their purchased gifts back at the location of the tree where they chose their ornament. Packages are then distributed to parents in time for Christmas.
This year, Bryan County residents who want to “adopt” a child can find Angel Trees at the following locations:
SOUTH BRYAN
Richmond Hill United Methodist Church
Spirit of Peace Lutheran Church
Waterways
Richmond Hill YMCA
Jacob Grant Community and Teen Center
Lox Hair Studio
St. Anne’s Catholic Church
The Ford Plantation
New Life Church
Bryan County Emergency Services—Station 1
NORTH BRYAN
First Baptist Church of Pembroke
Ellabell United Methodist Church
Beulah Baptist Church
Piggly Wiggly in Black Creek
St. Anne’s Catholic Church
The Bridge Church
According to Bryan County Family Connection Director Wendy Sims Futch, a large number of families are in need this year, due to financial hardships and struggles brought on by COVID-19. Thankfully, she said, in addition to all the locations that are hosting Angel Trees, several local entities and groups are hosting donation drives or have already adopted many Angels. Those supporters include Bryan County Elementary School, Lanier Primary School, Bryan County Middle School, McAllister Elementary School, Francis Meeks Elementary School, Richmond Hill Primary School, Savannah Area Board of Realtors, Bryan County Board of Education Administrative Office and Black Creek Golf Course.
“We just want to thank everyone and every group who has been involved and offered us support this year – from those who are hosting Angel Trees in their locations, those who are running their own gift donation drives, and all the folks who’ve picked an ornament from an Angel Tree to help make a local child’s Christmas wish come true,” Futch said. “We at Family Connection cannot express our gratitude enough. This community’s generosity is truly touching.”
For more information, please visit Bryan County Family Connection line at http:/bryan.gafcp.org or call 912-653-3824 in Pembroke or 912-459-9901 in Richmond Hill.