Adopting angels from North Lamar’s Christmas tree is an event anticipated by the district each year. Whether it’s choosing an angel off the tree or buying an extra turkey or canned food item, North Lamar looks forward to this annual event as a way of taking care of their own.
This year North Lamar’s athletic department jumped in ready to take on a new service project by adopting 30 angels and providing turkeys for 70 families. Athletes in the high school and middle school, along with their coaches, raised close to $9,000 from family and neighbors.
Angel Gifts
While athletes at the high school level were responsible for filling angel wish lists, the middle school athletic department was given the task of supplying turkeys for the food baskets.
Doc McStuffins, Barbie dolls, LEGOS, art supplies, bicycles, Nerf guns, Lincoln Logs, board games, movies and clothes were among the hot items athletes were in search of at Wal-Mart. North Lamar coaches used what time they had with their players to include them in the shopping process.
“This was an amazing experience for many of our kids,” said Coach Martin Bryant. “I think in today’s culture of ‘me first’ this will have a lasting effect on all of the young people involved. Hopefully, we can begin a tradition of involving athletics in this project for years to come.”
Distribution of the angel gifts and food baskets is a group effort of the districts’ volunteers and local Boy Scouts. In all 167 North Lamar angels were adopted by students, teachers, NL service clubs and organizations, and local churches. Eighty-three families will receive food baskets and 65 youngsters will have a new bicycle or tricycle assembled by the NLHS Ag Department under their tree.
“This is a district-wide and community effort,” said NLISD Elementary Nurse Carla Spann. “It begins with those who adopt the angels to Brookshire’s who generously supplies us with boxes to build our food baskets then to those who help with the organization and distribution of it all. We could not do this without everyone’s help.”
The North Lamar Angel tree dates back to the early 1970’s when former NLISD nurse Theresa Emerson established the North Lamar Children’s Fund to help student in the district who were in need of shoes, clothes, medication, eye exams, glasses, and other personal needs. One time relying solely on donations from churches, PTO groups, memorials, and individuals, it now relies on contributions from North Lamar personnel, generous donors, and proceeds from the annual Skip, Jump and Run event held in the spring.
