Trees Of Hope For The Holidays
by Laura Monteverdi, Reporter
November 21, 2012 6:58 PM
The lights and ornaments are all part of the joy of Christmas. However for some, like the residents at McCrossan's Boys Ranch, they are not always part of the holiday season.
"Some of them have been abused abandoned or neglected and some of them have just had some troubles they had to deal with," said Christy Menning, Director of Development at the ranch.
Menning said that many of the boys have never experienced a real Christmas.
"Half of our boys have no place to go for the holidays. They have no home and no family. We try and make the holidays special and show them the true spirit of Christmas," said Menning.
That's what makes the Trees of Hope so special.
On Wednesday, boys from the ranch decorated Christmas trees in area department stores. They hung cards from the branches listing wishes for each boy. Over the next few weeks, shoppers will get the chance to brighten their Christmas by picking a card off the tree, buying the gift inside and returning the card and gift to the store.
Cody Buss, who lives at the ranch said his wish was for Nike shoes, but he said he understands the true meaning of the season.
"It's not so much the presents. It's more of families getting together and seeing eachother again," said Buss.
The Trees of Hope can be found at three stores in Sioux Falls - Scheels, the East Side Walmart and Dakota Sports. Any gifts purchased must be returned by December 28th to the store.
