Christmas is the time of year where jubilation and enthusiasm prosper. The hard truth is that Christmas is also the time when struggle and conflict arise. Gifts! Gifts! They’re amazing, but wouldn’t it feel even more amazing to bring that joy to a child or teen in need? Absolutely! With the help from Shorty’s restaurant and Code Blue Gym all that can be possible. Both Shorty’s and Code Blue have set up special trees to help those in need of a little extra Christmas magic this year.
Shorty’s has partnered with the Department of Human Services and has set up their Holiday Hero Christmas Tree in the front of the diner for all to see to gather gifts and donations this holiday season for children and teens in foster care. The Holiday Hero Program is a way for individuals and businesses to come together during a time of giving to help make the holidays a little bit brighter for those young children and teens involved in the child welfare system. Shorty’s is collecting presents, gift cards and monetary donations until Dec. 3rd in hopes of ensuring a happy holiday. We asked Tonya Venable, owner of Shorty’s, how she feels about her Holiday Hero Tree and what it symbolizes; she said, “This is very special to me. The joy of giving and blessing someone else is amazing. That feeling you get knowing you’ve helped somebody and they have no idea who you are. It makes your heart feel good and it spreads kindness. The world could use a lot more kindness.” Decorating the tree is several tags that have a foster child’s gender and age written on them. To donate a Christmas gift you simply choose a tag from the Holiday Hero Tree and bring said tag back with your gift so that it goes to that specific child. All donations can be given to Tonya Venable at Shorty’s located at 316 E. Main St in Cordell. Gifts can consist of age appropriate toys, clothes or gift cards. All donations must be unwrapped. Your donation will go towards a happier holiday for children in foster care in Washita and Custer County. “I know this year is really hard. It’s apparent everywhere you look. This year is difficult and these kids don’t require a whole lot. They would be happy to get anything. Your donation, no matter how big or small, helps these children and teens,” expressed Venable. Christmas time is a trying time. If you are unable to donate a gift but still want to help you can volunteer for Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA). CASA is a national association in the United States that supports and promotes court-appointed advocates for abused or neglected children. Alongside Shorty’s, Great Plains National Bank also has a Holiday Hero Tree. You can contact Great Plains National Bank for more information.
Code Blue is spreading holiday cheer with their Angel Tree once again. Candace Dudgeon and her Code Blue crew took over the Angel Tree Program in 2017.
Their Angel Tree is filled and decorated with tags that have a child’s name, gender, clothing size, and what hobbies they may enjoy. These tags represent what may be the only gift they will receive this Christmas. “It helps them have a little bit of a Christmas,” explained Dudgeon. Your generosity can help bring a smile to these children this holiday season. Anyone from the community can go to Code Blue and grab a tag from the tree. The recommendation is to purchase a gift based on the ideas from the Angel tag.
Dudgeon said the gifts can be brought back to her wrapped or unwrapped. By any chance there are tags left over, local businesses usually help make sure all the tags are gone. Dudgeon stated that she started this to help make a difference. For more information on how you can help bring Christmas to a local child in need, contact Candace Dudgeon at Code Blue Gym located at 111 South College in Cordell.