Giving Tree Angels Donate Gifts for 1,100 Local Children

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Danian Douglas, U.S. Naval Academy Public Affairs

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (NNS) -- Midshipmen, faculty and staff aboard the U.S. Naval Academy helped make a brighter holiday this year for many local children during their annual Giving Tree project which ended Dec. 12.

The team of midshipmen from 6th Company who organized the event, collected gifts for approximately 1,100 children - 400 more than last year - to be distributed to underprivileged families in the Annapolis area.

Gifts ranged from musical instruments to clothes, to a number of bicycles and scooters, with an estimated total value of more than $50,000.

Paper angels decorating the Giving Tree contained the names, ages and gift requests of local children. Midshipmen, faculty, staff and visitors to the academy were encouraged to choose a card and provide a gift for that child. Gifts were left under the tree for the Salvation Army to collect and distribute.

Midshipman 2nd Class Ricky Rodriguez described the experience as very humbling and noted two unique ways the program benefits the academy and midshipmen.

"Not only is it a tourist attraction, but having this program in conjunction with the Salvation Army right here at the academy provides midshipmen with the opportunity to volunteer service to their community without leaving the campus," said Rodriguez.

Originally created by the Midshipmen Action Group in 1992 to fulfill the needs of children in the local community, sponsorship of the project was taken over by 6th Company in 1998, and has been growing annually.

"We sent out numerous e-mails, created and displayed posters in strategic locations throughout the academy and sent out a public service announcement," said Midshipman 1st Class Kristen D. Tella, project coordinator. "This year, because we had so many more angels, we created a group page on Facebook which played a major role in our success.

"It's really important for the midshipmen to give back to the community because the city of Annapolis supports us in everything," Tella said. "It's also a good way for midshipmen to interact with people and to take responsibility."