Angel Tree tradition going strong after two decades

Posted December 21, 2009
By Brittany Brown,
Norfolk District Public Affairs

12/18/09 NORFOLK, Va. — In preparation for this year's holiday season, the Norfolk District employee welfare council erected a nine-foot angel tree, illuminated with a string of colorful holiday lights and ornaments, some of which display the Army Corps castle. In the hustle and bustle of their day, the angel tree is a subtle reminder to district employees, visitors and Army recruits about of the importance of giving to the community during the holiday season.

On Dec. 1, employees joined District Commander Col. Andrew Backus during the annual angel tree lighting ceremony at the Waterfield Building to choose one of the 88 blue or pink paper angels hanging from the tree.

Each paper angel included the first name, age and wishes of a child from Norfolk's St. Mary's Home for Disabled Children.

St. Mary's Home for Disabled Children is the only pediatric long-term-care residential facility of its kind in Virginia for children and young adults with severe disabilities, and one of about 100 nationwide.

Since 1988, Norfolk district has provided cheer to children at St. Mary's by fulfilling their holiday wishes.

"Christmas isn't Christmas until they come here," said Shirley Parham, a member of St. Mary's activities staff, as she introduced the Norfolk district choral group, the Corpsaleers.

On Dec. 17, St. Mary children and staff members gathered in the facility atrium to listen to the Corpsaleers perform an hour-long melody of holiday carols. District welfare council employees shook maracas and bells as Corpsaleers sung in harmony to holiday carols such as "Rudolph the Red-Nose Reindeer", "Jingle Bells", "Silent Night", "Silver Bells" and "It's Beginning to Look a lot Like Christmas".

Immediately following the Corpsaleers performance, Col. Backus and Corpsaleers went caroling through the facility, spreading holiday cheer to staff members and children who were not able to attend the performance in the atrium.

The district's angel tree program allows Norfolk district employees to give back to the community and ensure the angels at St. Mary's, many of whom will not spend the holidays at home with loved ones, receive gifts this holiday season.

For more information on the St. Mary's Home for Disabled Children, visit their Web site at www.saintmaryshome.org.