Amazing!

The Giving Tree is beautifully bare

    You did it again.  Thank you.
    By Friday afternoon all of the 280 ornaments on the Clear Lake Mirror-Reporter’s Giving Tree had been checked out and gifts and food are now filling the newspaper office.  This week they are being readied for

distribution to local families that had requested some additional help this holiday season.
    Each year The Giving Tree provides a very real reminder of the importance of community and the real meaning of Christmas.  In the 22 years that the Mirror-Reporter has housed the tree, needs have never been left unmet.  In fact, those choosing ornaments often remark that they had more fun shopping for someone they didn’t know than someone they did.  They put time into thinking about their gifts, had fun wrapping them and like to think about how excited a child might be to open their presents on Christmas Day.
    Clubs, church groups, families, groups of friends, students and many others took part in providing gifts for The Giving Tree this season.  The employees at one local business had the great idea this season to use The Giving Tree as a gift for their boss, who always says he wants nothing from them.  They bought gifts for an entire family on the tree, then had their picture taken of the presents they purchased in his honor.  “We’re sure he’ll like this gift,” said one of the workers as she delivered the gifts to the Mirror-Reporter.
    Financial gifts to The Giving Tree were also very generous this season.  In addition to those who sent and dropped off checks to our office, 7 Stars Restaurant also held a weekly $100 drawing, with $50 going to a customer and the other $50 to The Giving Tree.  This year, financial contributions helped to provide additional food gift cards to families.
    So again, thank you.  The 280 ornaments on the tree this year marked a new high in requests received for assistance but, as always, the community rose to the challenge.