Cherokee Angel Tree Sees Greater Need This Season

Native News Network Staff in Native Currents. Discussion »

TAHLEQUAH, OKLAHOMA – The Cherokee Nation kicked off its annual Angel Tree program last Tuesday, hoping to serve more children than ever this holiday season. Last year, 1,700 "angels" were adopted through the Cherokee Nation. This year, more than 1,900 children have been signed up for the program.

Organizer Brandy Lemley and Principal Chief Bill John Baker encourage Indian country to show support by adopting an angel.

“Each year, we have more and more children sign up for the program, so we need people to adopt an angel to ensure our children have a Merry Christmas and blessed holiday season,”

Principal Chief Bill John Baker said.

“The Cherokee Nation Angel Tree program is about helping provide for each other, especially our youngest Cherokees.”

Angels are available for adoption through Monday, December 10. Angels can be picked up in the lobby of the WW Keeler Tribal Complex in Tahlequah, Cherokee Nation health centers or by contacting Cherokee Nation Angel Tree organizers.

The Cherokee Nation Angel Tree is a charitable Christmas program that annually provides gifts to children who are in need and would otherwise go without. Each angel ornament represents a disadvantaged child and the child's Christmas wish list.

The gifts must be returned to the location angels were adopted from by December 10.

Cherokee Nation Angel Tree locations include:

posted November 26, 2012 6:59 am est