By Cate Pitterle, ’20
Every year before holiday break, a Christmas tree appears in the upper school lobby, filled with unconventional ornaments: name tags of children in need. Also, unlike regular ornaments, these tags quickly disappear from the tree, taken by CA students full of holiday spirit. These students then head to the office, where they are given a folder containing their chosen child’s Christmas list, and they buy their chosen child some or all of the gifts that appear on their list. Through this long-held CA tradition, the Giving Tree, students are able to bring joy to children who otherwise wouldn’t have a Christmas filled with presents.
Ms. Grant, our Service Learning Director, leads the initiative at Cary Academy, and believes that the Giving Tree brings the greater community together. She said of the initiative, “it provides an opportunity to learn about some of the needs and wishes of our community neighbors and how they are often similar to CA students.” The Cary Academy community doesn’t suffer from a lack of charity, either– the Giving Tree is notorious for difficulty in claiming a name tag before they’re all gone. “Another special part of the Giving Tree for me is witnessing the generosity of CA students and families when all the gifts have been collected,” added Ms. Grant. “I am grateful for everyone’s participation!”
Far from a new program, the Giving Tree is as close as it gets to ancient in CA terms. “This is the 20th year that Giving Tree has worked with Johnston County Social Services (Upper School tree)!” said Ms. Grant. “We have partnered with Wake County GAL (Middle School tree) for 14 or 15 years.” So, if you didn’t get a name tag this year, there’s always an opportunity for next year– it’s certain that CA will continue this tradition for many years to come.
If you’re still looking for another way to give back as we head into 2019, look no further. Ms. Grant suggests Raleigh Rescue Mission, a shelter and soup kitchen, and Meals on Wheels, which provides regular hot means to seniors, as two great places to volunteer. Supporting your neighborhood’s Backpack Buddies, which gives sustenance to food insecure students, is another way to give back to your local community. A last option is to visit a local assisted living facility. “Many older adults in assisted living facilities feel lonely around the holidays,” said Ms. Grant. “I enjoy visiting with people who may be lonely, especially older people– a few minutes spent talking with someone can mean more than we know!”
Whether or not you were able to participate in the Giving Tree this year, the opportunities for charity at CA and in the local community are endless. However you choose to give back, your community will benefit, and, as Ms. Grant put it, it’s an “opportunity to learn” about our neighbors, their needs, and how we can support those around us.