‘Angels’ to brighten holidays for children

Special to The Vindicator

DECORATING COMMITTEE: Pleased with the results after decorating an Angel Tree at the Warren office of Northeast Ohio Adoption Services are NOAS board members and their families, from left in front, Vivian Lewis, Trevor Mutolo, and Desiray Creighton, and second row, Vincent Mutolo, Audrey Lewis, Patrick Kenney, Dennis Lewis, Madeline Lewis, Stephen Hudkins and Tina Creighton.

WARREN — Preparations for an annual Angel Tree Project were made when members of Northeast Ohio Adoption Services Board of Trustees and their families had an annual “Deck the Halls” night on Nov. 5 at the NOAS office, 5000 E. Market St.

A Christmas tree was assembled and decorated with angels, each inscribed with the name of one of the hundreds of children served by the agency. In addition to the name, volunteers listed an item that each child hopes to receive for Christmas.

Gere Weller of Liberty and Janet Weller of Canfield, assisted by dedicated community volunteers, are organizing the project, using information provided by foster families and social workers to compile the wish lists. The items listed are merely a suggestion to help those selecting one of the angels choose a gift appropriate for each child.

Individuals, organizations or businesses interested in brightening the holidays for a child may call the agency at (330) 856-5582 or stop at the office between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday, to select one or more angels from the tree. After purchasing the wished-for gift, it should be returned to the office by Dec. 4 to give volunteers time to make deliveries before the holidays.

Donors may also take their gifts to the annual Angel Tree Open House from 4:30 to 7 p.m. Dec. 3 at the Warren office. The open house is planned in conjunction with the “Celebrating 30 Years of Excellence” anniversary milestone of the organization.