Written by: Cole Edwards

The Holiday Helper Tree is in bloom once again.

Students interested in fulfilling a child’s Christmas wish list need to come by the Student Life office on the third floor of the Student Union to choose a child’s list from the tree. Gifts need to be turned in by Dec. 6.

“This is the largest number of children we have ever gotten for this project, so we need all the help and support we can get,” Brian Roberts, assistant director for Student Life, said.

Roberts said he has watched this event grow every year and while they usually have an average of 45-50 children, this year they have 96 children.

“We’ve always been able to cover every child we’ve gotten, so we’re hoping they all go once again,” Roberts said. “With the growing number, it’s important (that) we get a lot of interest.”

The Holiday Helper Tree is sponsored by the Student Life office along with local agencies such as the Child Advocacy Center, Behavioral Health Service of South Georgia and Project Light, who provide a list of children in the Valdosta-Lowndes County community who are under their care.

The goal is to fulfill the wish lists of children in bad situations who probably wouldn’t have a Christmas otherwise.

“There are no limits to the number of children you can take,” Roberts said. “We just ask that if you take a child’s name to please fulfill the wish or bring the name back if you cannot.”

Gifts may range from clothing to small toys. For more information, contact the Student Life office at 229-333-5674.