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North Lamar Angels and Families Will Experience the Spirit of Christmas

 

Belinda Peeples and Cassidy Emeyabbi place sacks of wrapped Christmas gifts in the back of a truck.  Gifts and food baskets have been distributed to North Lamar families just in time for Christmas.
Belinda Peeples and Cassidy Emeyabbi place sacks of wrapped Christmas gifts in the back of a truck. Gifts and food baskets have been distributed to North Lamar families just in time for Christmas.

Adopting angels from North Lamar’s Christmas tree is an event anticipated by the district each year.  Whether it’s choosing an angel off the tree or buying an extra turkey or canned food item, North Lamar looks forward to this annual event as a way of taking care of their own.

Brian Boyer steadies a box while Chelsea Jackson gathers canned food items for Tiffanie Bell who organizes a food basket for a North Lamar family.
Brian Boyer steadies a box while Chelsea Jackson gathers canned food items for Tiffanie Bell who organizes a food basket for a North Lamar family.

Distribution of the angel gifts and food baskets is a group effort of the districts’ volunteers and community.  In all 117 North Lamar angels were adopted by students, athletes, teachers, campus service clubs and organizations, and local churches.  Fifty-two families received food baskets while 30 youngsters will have a new bicycle or tricycle assembled by the NLHS Ag and small engine repair students.

Holding canned goods from the Christmas food boxes are Stone Middle School athletes Makayla Winton, Abby Neilson, Ashley Trenchard, Hannah Gibbons, Emma Doyal, Kendall Stephens, and Hannah Crosswhite.
Holding canned goods from the Christmas food boxes are Stone Middle School athletes Makayla Winton, Abby Neilson, Ashley Trenchard, Hannah Gibbons, Emma Doyal, Kendall Stephens, and Hannah Crosswhite.

The North Lamar Athletic Department jumped in early and adopted twenty-two angels from the tree.  Both the boy and girl athletes marked off items from their angels’ shopping lists while shopping at Walmart.  For the second year, Coach Martin Bryant was instrumental in securing forty turkeys for families through E-Systems in Greenville who donated them again this year.

Shopping for Christmas angels brings back childhood memories for these North Lamar athletes.  Pictured in the jewelry aisle beginning front left is Olivia Reader and Karlie Ewell.  In back are Shiann Rice, Jaimelynn Parker, and Payton Fleming
Shopping for Christmas angels brings back childhood memories for these North Lamar athletes. Pictured in the jewelry aisle beginning front left is Olivia Reader and Karlie Ewell. In back are Shiann Rice, Jaimelynn Parker, and Payton Fleming

“This is a district-wide and community effort,” said NLISD Elementary Nurse Jennifer Elrod.  “It’s awesome that we can take such good care of our own students in such a great way.  It begins with those who adopt the angels to Brookshire’s who generously supplies us with boxes to build our food baskets then to those who help with the organization and distribution of it all.  We could not do this without everyone’s help.”

Members of the Panther football team shopped for such things as clothing, shoes, games, sporting gear, action figures, and Legos for their Christmas angels.  Football members pictured from left are Ryan Scott, Coach Michael Cowling, Steven Wisham, Austin Stephens, Nic Noble, Wesley Culbertson, and Sam Cowling.
Members of the Panther football team shopped for such things as clothing, shoes, games, sporting gear, action figures, and Legos for their Christmas angels. Football members pictured from left are Ryan Scott, Coach Michael Cowling, Steven Wisham, Austin Stephens, Nic Noble, Wesley Culbertson, and Sam Cowling.

The North Lamar Angel tree dates back to the early 1970’s when former NLISD nurse Theresa Emerson established the North Lamar Children’s Fund to help student in the district who were in need of shoes, clothes, medication, eye exams, glasses, and other personal needs.  One time relying solely on donations from churches, PTO groups, memorials, and individuals, it now relies on contributions from North Lamar personnel, generous donors, and proceeds from the annual Skip, Jump and Run event held in the spring.