November 10, 2008

The Family Giving Tree helps the neediest Bay Area children

By Carol Rosen
Editor

The holidays are just around the corner and the elves at the non-profit Family Giving Tree are busily preparing to grant more than 50,000 underprivileged children’s holiday wishes. The difference between this charity and others is they give the children the exact toy the children choose themselves.

Evelyn Cardenas and her daughter Aliyah receive a gift from the Family Giving Tree. Although the family struggles to make ends meet they often can be found volunteering at the Family Giving Tree warehouse. Photo by Julie Davis Berry

“Our toys go to children served at agencies like Next Door Solutions to Domestic Violence and City Team Ministries who are the neediest children in our community,” said Family Giving Tree CEO and Queen Elf Jennifer Cullenbine. “We know times are tight but we would truly appreciate any donations that people in the community can make online or by choosing a child’s wish card off their company giving tree or at a Wells Fargo Bank. It is the perfect opportunity to introduce philanthropy to your children.”

The Family Giving Tree, a 19-year-old non-profit, serves more than 240 social service agencies in the Bay Area and has granted nearly 600,000 personalized holiday gift wishes since 1990. The Tree also runs a Back-to-School program in August which gives low-income children supply filled backpacks. Last year the Family Giving Tree earned a coveted 4-star rating from the renowned Charity Navigator website.

One family which has been recipients of gifts from the Family Giving Tree over the years is the Cardenas family of San Jose. They have dealt with illness and poverty but always look to give back in their own way. You can often see members of the family cleaning bathrooms and collecting trash at the holiday warehouse. “We do the jobs that other volunteers might not want because we are so thankful for the help the Family Giving Tree has given us,” said Evelyn Cardenas. “My mom brought me and my brothers here years ago when we lived in a domestic violence shelter and she taught us that it is okay to accept help when you need it, but it is important to give back too when you can. That is what I want to teach my own children.”

To donate to the Family Giving Tree please visit their Web site at www.FamilyGivingTree.org where you may choose to sponsor an individual child or you may give an online donation via the Internet. Or visit your local Wells Fargo Bank and pick up a gift tag to shop for a child.