The Angel Tree project began in 1987 as a collaborative effort between Junior Auxiliary of Clinton and Deposit Guaranty National Bank. That first year, angel "wishes" were hung on a single tree at one bank and customers selected an angel, shopped for that child, and JA members delivered the gifts to the children. That year, 36 children received gifts as a result of the project. This project has grown immensely over the past 17 years. This year, Junior Auxiliary of Clinton served 202 children in the Clinton community. Each child was granted two wishes resulting in the hanging of 404 angels. Laurie Lawson and the Clinton Community Christian Corporation work hand-in-hand with JA in this endeavor. For many years, Laurie has conducted the screening for individuals wishing to be included in the Angel Tree Project. She provides us with the names of the most needy families in the Clinton area.
This year, angel-laden wreaths were hung in the following locations: BankPlus branches on Cynthia Road, Springridge Road, and Clinton Boulevard, BanCorp South, AmSouth branches on Northside Drive and Clinton Plaza, Merchants & Farmers, Merchants & Planters, Trustmark branches on Pinehaven, Clinton Boulevard, and Kroger, East Ford, Baptist Healthplex, Reflections Salon, WiseCare Child Care, Funtime Skateland, Jillian's, Southern Salon, Transitions, Applebee's, Celebrations, and in the teacher's lounges at Clinton Park, Northside, Eastside, and Lovett Elementary Schools. In addition, Students Against Destrucive Decisions club at CHS purchased gifts for a certain number of angels.
Each year, we celebrate the completion of the project by hosting a "Cookies with Santa" party for the participants. This party allows the parents an opportunity to pick up their gifts and take them home while children visit with Santa. This year, Angel Tree participants were provided with music by the Clinton Public Schools Strings Program while enjoying Chick Fil ' A brownies and punch and cookies. The Crown Club also assisted in this endeavor by taking pictures of each participant with Santa Claus and then helping each child make a picture frame for the picture. Dr. Tommye Henderson, Superintendent of Clinton Public Schools, was a special guest at the party as she read her favorite Christmas book to the children in attendance.
