Teen volunteers collect Christmas gifts for 100 Fort Erie families

A group of teenagers at the Fort Erie Public Library is working to make sure 100 local families have presents under the “Angel Tree” this Christmas.

Reaching 100 families would take the library’s Youth Library Association beyond the more than 70 children it helped last year, but only if enough residents sponsor a child by taking a wish-list tag from its Christmas tree.

“Sometimes there isn’t enough extra income to splurge during the holiday season,” said Youth Library Association co-chair Adelaide Dy, who has heard from parents struggling with rising gas and grocery costs.

“We will accept the requests of as many families as are in need,” she said.

Parents can sign their children up through an online form between November 7 and December 11. The “Angel Tree” goes up at the library’s Centennial branch on Gilmore Road on November 21.

“On the pickup day, multiple families asked how to thank us,” said Dy. “Looking at the smiles on their faces was enough to make our organization happy.”

One of the groups that takes part is Lakeshore Catholic High School, whose families helped donate more than 400 items last year. The school will again hold a toy drive for the tree this year.

“This initiative wouldn’t be close to possible without all of the generous donors in Fort Erie and the families of Lakeshore Catholic,” said Dy.

The Youth Library Association is offering volunteer hours to young people who help wrap the presents.

Sponsors must return gifts to the library by December 16, and families will pick up their presents December 19.

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