HAMILTON — We recently brought you the story of the Massa Home Center's Angel Tree where Ravalli Head Start children's wishes were granted by the community.
The gifts were delivered in a trailer filled to the brim on Tuesday and now -- not only is the room full, there are also five tables that are full in their lobby.
Massa owner Deana Wolfe said they had really good turnout this year, all of the names went off the tree very quickly. "We just delivered 217 presents gifts for kiddos,” said Wolfe. “and they got some good stuff."
It's a great surprise for Head Start kids who might not receive every Christmas present they want or need without the program. Ravalli Head Start's Te Ata Headley says that many families are forced to make choices between very basic needs and a few wants for their kids.
“To be able to meet that desire for their children and have that one moment that’s a little less stressful in their life is very meaningful for the parents,” said Headley. “Just seeing that magic when the kids open their gifts is kind of what the holiday season is all about."
Massa makes the tree possible and Headley said the time and effort their team members put in goes above and beyond.
"They really step up and to not just organize the gifts but then they will also get donations of stuffed animals that will also go into each box,” Headley added. “They will get hats and gloves together some years so every kid whether they needed it or not they get another pair of gloves.”
All the gifts come in unwrapped, so parents will come in Wednesday for a gift-wrapping party. Then they can hand them out to their kids on Christmas morning.
