Unwrapping Joy
We wrapped up the eighth year of the Giving Tree program at Windom Area Health! This program had its biggest reach yet, sponsoring 180 children with 625 gifts at schools in our region. We expanded our reach to Trimont Elementary and Jackson County Central 4th – 8th grades this year.
The most common question I got this year was “How do you get the names?” Windom Area Health works with local school counselors to get parents to register their children. They are asked to jot down each child’s gender, age, and wants and needs. We provide the form. All families need to do is sign up.
Meanwhile, our committee lines up sponsors from the community. Individuals, businesses, and Windom Area Health staff come together sponsor a child. The counselors return the forms to me, and distribute anonymous lists to sponsors.
Sponsors then have time to strategize, shop, and wrap gifts. Scoring deals during Black Friday sales is highly encouraged. This year, Black Friday came later, so shipping cut it close for a handful of shoppers.
Someone else’s shoes
I said it last year in my wrap-up and I’ll say it again: the joy in this project is that you don’t know who the recipient child is! You are putting yourself in someone else’s shoes, thinking, “What would this little girl want?” Or “I remember what it was like to play with Legos, I hope this young man loves these!”
There’s something exciting about wondering who is getting your gift and knowing that it’s something they specifically needed or wanted—new hats and mittens, pajama sets, coloring books, and a big hit this year: anything K-Pop Demon Hunters.
Even more, there’s something about putting yourself in the parents’ shoes. When shoppers turn in their wrapped presents, they include a card that lists every gift. That way, the parent knows exactly what their child is getting. Sometimes receiving help, especially during a time when finances are tight or there’s an unexpected crisis, can be difficult. These handwritten sponsor notes uplifts the parents in this whole process, too.
Delivery Days
Our committee divvied up efforts to make sure gifts got to every school. The bulk of delivery efforts took place on December 15th. We loaded up rig #20 and #21 at the Windom Fire Station, then made stops at the SWWC Windom building and Windom Elementary School.
Many hands made light work. We loaded up the trucks in about nine minutes. Special thanks to Tristan Joel, Connor Knigge, Jason Krumwiede, Ben Derickson, Aaron Hernandez, Kjell Turner, and Kristen Porath for loading and unloading the trucks!
Once gifts are delivered, each school coordinates pick up times for parents. This is the part of the project that is bitter sweet for me. We don’t get to see the reactions of parents or kids opening the presents. We trust the process, and we do hear back from the school counselors who share overwhelming positive feedback from parents.
Special Thanks
This project wouldn’t be possible without the support of our community who stepped up to sponsor 180 children. Of note, the Windom Fire Department not only helped deliver gifts, but also sponsored 57 children.
Thank you to everyone else who participated: Wellness & Vitality Chiropractic, Sanford Clinics, Hair Hut, Citizen Publishing Co., WAS Middle School Senate, Windom Police Department, Cottonwood County Sheriff’s Department, Windom Ambulance Service, Medina Martial Arts, PEO, Trinity Lutheran Church Sunday School class, Fisher Eye Care, Windom Area Health staff, and eleven individuals.
To learn more or participate in 2026, contact Katie Greener at 507-831-0633 or [email protected].
