GIFT TREE FUNDRAISER TO AID FAMILIES IN NEED

By ALYSSA JIN

ALYSSA JIN FOR WIZARD WEEKLY

The annual gift tree fundraiser at Washingtonville High School is in full swing for the holiday season. The gift tree is something that many people in the community hold close to their hearts, including one of our very own staff members, Mrs. Diemer. Mrs. Diemer first got involved with the organization responsible for our gift tree about 30 years ago when someone very close to her was diagnosed with cancer. Mrs. Diemer was inspired by this organization, called Friends of Karen, and their commitment to aiding families in a time when they need it the most. 

Friends of Karen was created in 1978, when a woman named Sheila Petersen wanted to provide help to a family whose daughter, Karen MacIness, was suffering from a tragic illness. Not only does this organization provide for the ill child, but also the siblings and family members going through this battle with them. Along with the gift tree fundraiser, Friends of Karen has many other ways of providing aid to families in need. The organization helps in ways such as providing therapy to family members of cancer patients, an Adina’s Angels Fund to provide services to help siblings of cancer patients, and giving opportunities for people to purchase gifts for any milestone event, such as birthdays or graduations to members of struggling families. In the midst of illness and dark times, Friends of Karen makes sure that these families have a little something to smile about. 

As Mrs. Diemer was inspired by this organization, she decided to share her love for it with WHS as well. The concept of the gift tree is to take a gift tag off the tree located in the main office and purchase a gift for someone. The tag you take will tell you the gender and age of the person that you are buying a gift for. Gifts can, and should, be brought unwrapped to Mrs. Diemer. “When families are going through such tough times they don't need the burden of shopping for Christmas gifts on top of everything else,” stated Mrs. Diemer. This fundraiser is a way of giving families affected by cancer something to smile about during the holiday season. 

If you are looking to get involved in the spirit of giving during the holiday season, this is a great way to start. Next time you're in the main office, take a tag off the tree and purchase a gift for someone who needs it the most. You could be the very reason that someone smiles this holiday season!