2023 Angel Tree program receiving support

Thursday, November 30, 2023

Media Contact: Jordan Bishop | Editor, Department of Brand Management | 405-744-7193 | jordan.bishop@okstate.edu

The Angel Tree program at Oklahoma State University aims to help children in need throughout the Stillwater community have a merrier Christmas. 

OSU’s Student Volunteer Center is in charge of the program for the first time. The center has partnered with agencies across Stillwater, with children as their primary clientele. This year’s agencies include Big Brothers Big Sisters, the Department of Human Services, Payne County Youth Shelter and Family Resource Center. 

Christmas trees are set up in the Student Union with kids’ three Christmas wishes and general information about them. Anyone is welcome to stop by and pick out an angel to buy gifts for. People can return the unwrapped gifts to the Leadership and Campus Life info desk (211 Student Union) no later than 4 p.m. on Dec. 6.

In previous years, before COVID-19, a kickoff party would be held for anyone to stop by and check out the program. The Student Volunteer Center returned the tradition this year with a hot chocolate stand for people to enjoy. 

Student Volunteer Center Coordinator Haley Osiek said many student organizations will adopt angels, and then the entire group will buy items for the children. Some individuals will also adopt an angel on their own. 

“We only have five left,” Osiek said. “I got back into the office this morning and was like, ‘Oh, wow.’ We had close to 30 or 40 left earlier in the week.”

The final tree will be brought to President Kayse Shrum’s Holiday Happenings Party for faculty and staff, which is in the Student Union Ballroom from 2 to 4 p.m. Friday. Osiek said she hopes the last couple of angels will be “adopted” at the party. 

The Student Volunteer Center also recently opened a new program for students to find and log volunteer opportunities, so if any students are looking for volunteer experiences, they can use programs like the Angel Tree to make an impact. 

“We want students to know that our whole purpose is to connect them to meaningful volunteer opportunities,” Osiek said. “If a student is ever looking to volunteer, they’re more than welcome to reach out to us.”

Story By: Mak Vandruff | makenzie.vandruff@okstate.edu