The Holiday season is here and now is the time to give back to the community. We caught up with the Giving Tree’s marcom manager Leigh Cooledge to find out more about the program and how we can help deliver some joy to those in need.

What is The Giving Tree?
It’s a program that works with the community to provide gift bags of new, warm clothes, toys and school supplies to migrant and orphaned children in Shanghai and other areas of China. Each child receives a gift bag with items chosen specifically for them. Donors are provided with the personal details of the child–gender, height, weight, shoe size, etc.–which allows them to shop specifically for that child. We suggest including a coat, school supplies and a toy, and adding shoes, thermal underwear, socks, pants, sweaters, etc. We request no fewer than five new items.

Best part of the program?
Hands down, it’s the gift-giving ceremonies. They are an amazing opportunity to see that all my hard work was 150 percent worthwhile. The kids are so happy, so gracious, so excited! Never in my life have I seen such genuine joy. They are absolutely thrilled with every item. I remember one ceremony last season, where the principal of the school had told the children they couldn’t open their bags until they were back in their classrooms. You could almost see them vibrating they were so excited. Each time a child would hear his or her name called they would beam with delight, pop out of the line to get the bag, say thank you and then, clutching the bag as tightly as possible, sprint across the gravel yard and into their class. As I walked around, I saw kids showing each other their gifts and heard shrieks of delight as they brought out each item.

How can we help?
People can get bags to fill by seeing if their workplaces, clubs or kids’ schools are participating. If not, they can just email us. We also accept cash donations for operations support.

Want to get involved? Head to the Giving Tree website for more details or send an email to givingtree@communitycenter.cn.