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The Giving Tree is adorned with tags, with each tag representing a child's gender and age group ranging from 1 to 15 years old. Simply pick a tag off the tree, purchase an appropriate gift, and bring it back (unwrapped) to the NAVES building by December 18.
The week of Christmas, NAVES will pool their gifts with gifts from the police department toy drive and the Woman's Club of North Arlington and deliver them to needy families around town.
George McDermott, Captain of NAVES, says he hopes the Giving Tree will result in a spike in gift giving this holiday season.
"I've been helping the police department toy drive for kids every year," the captain said.
"Last year things had been coming in pretty slowly. I figured a new way to help out would be to put a tree in front of the building that will attract a lot of attention and use social media."
Apparently it has worked. Since the tree was erected Dec. 6, 20 of its 60 tags have been picked off. That means more needy families will be receiving Christmas presents this year.
"Every parent should experience the joy of wrapping a Christmas present for their kids," McDermott says. "And every kid should get to smile when they unwrap a present on Christmas morning."
"That is what Christmas is all about."
McDermott said he plans to do the giving tree next year.
The giving tree is located at 575 Schuyler Ave. in North Arlington. Email George McDermott for more.
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