“It looks like Santa’s slay exploded. It’s the most wonderful thing in the world,” said Kim Gnau, a spokeswoman for Rocking Horse.
Gnau said the gifts go the center’s neediest children.
“The need is great,” Gnau said. “… Everyone deserves to be healthy, which is why Rocking Horse is here, and we believe a part of healthiness is happiness; and so we do whatever we can to help these families.”
Rocking Horse began the Holiday Angel Tree program in 2006 and since then the program has helped 3,000-5,000 children, Gnau said.
As part of the program, the names, ages and sizes of children along with gift ideas are placed on tags on a Christmas tree in the lobby of the medical center. Area residents who participated in an open house last month “adopted” the children.
Gnau said the children receive two to three Christmas gifts, sometimes more.
“This means a lot to the families,” said Gnau. “This means a lot to mom and dad to provide gifts to their kids at Christmas.
“It’s just a real feel good deal all the way around.”
Kimberly Carter, 48, of Springfield, said the Angel Tree program has provided an important helping hand to her family.
Carter, who has five grown children, has had custody of her five grandchildren since 2011, and says it can be a struggle to buy gifts for all the the kids. The grandchildren range in age from six to 11.
“The Angel Tree that they have is a wonderful thing that they’ve done to families who really, truly need the help,” Carter said. “I’m really glad to get that extra help.”
Rocking Horse also has a Winter Weather Wear Drive and has distributed over 250 new and gently used coats in the last 30 days. Gnau said officials want to collect more to help their patients through the winter months.
Anyone interested in helping can call Gnau at 324-1111, ext. 110.
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