One year after a near untimely end, the annual Angel Tree Christmas Sharing Program has opened its doors for 2024.

Julie Miller is lead elf for this year’s rendition. She admits last year’s uncertainty over whether the program would continue, and then, along with the program’s many volunteers, trying to navigate the process of accepting gifts and cash donations, and, finally, deliver Christmas for over 300 local children, was a challenge. But despite limited prep time and the group’s relative inexperience, the 2023 Angel Tree was a great success.

In the fall of 2023, the Angel Tree’s governing body, The Children’s Foundation, said children under the care of Highland Shores Children’s Aid would be eligible for the program. 

The announcement caused a firestorm among Prince Edward County residents. Councillor Phil St-Jean, Ms. Miller, and a number of community leaders convinced Children’s Foundation leadership to allow the program to continue. 

“It was definitely terrifying at times,” said Ms. Miller. “Not knowing what to expect and flying blind at times but, ultimately, we did a fantastic job thanks to some really great and dedicated volunteers.”

“It can be an incredibly daunting task,” she said. “Last year I came into the office and there were five tables full of toys collected by the Picton Firefighters, which is great and very, very appreciated but then comes the sorting and it takes time.”

Registrations came flooding into the online portal this year when it opened on November 12. Last year, 330 children under 18 were registered. That figure equates to over 170 families in Prince Edward County. Each child received at least one gift and every family received a Christmas food hamper. 

This year, with organizations such as the Salvation Army and the local food banks also distributing food hampers, Angel Tree program will offer gift cards from local grocery stores.

“This way, if the family would rather hold on to the card and use it later in the winter, they have the option.”

 Ms. Miller reports that a good number of people have stopped by the Angel Tree office at the St. Mary Magdalene Parish Hall to pick up a paper angel and go shopping.

But the monetary donations are not where they need to be in order to make every Christmas morning shiny and bright.

“It’s been slow. We are wondering if folks can’t find us or perhaps there was such a swell of support last year because the program was hanging by a thread, and this will be a quiet year,” worried Ms. Miller. 

The Angel Tree office is open at St Mary Magdalene, 335 Picton Main Street, Tuesday through Friday from noon to 4 p.m.; Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. 

For more information, and to register to donate, please visit The Children’s Foundation website.