Money went to children in need
When Emily Beck set up a charity tree to provide for kids in need, she thought she’d be lucky to help 25 kids.
She ended up giving gifts to 114.
“The first 25 orders were filled so quickly, within the first week and a half of having it they were all completely taken,” she said.
Beck, the owner of Ellijay’s Selectel Wireless store, decided she wanted to do a Giving Tree fundraiser this year for Gilmer County children.
In this kind of fundraiser, people in need put their Christmas wishes or needs on a decorated Christmas tree. Then, donors pick up the tag and buy the items for them.
“We had so many businesses reaching out,” Beck said. “We were not expecting it to be this big at all.”
Most of the items on the tree were between $25 and $40 in value.
She set up her Giving Tree up at the end of November. with information from 25 different families asking for Christmas presents. But as more donations came in, Beck realized they could expand the program greatly.
“We got more and more children coming in,” she said.
She soon found her expectations had been blown away.
So many people gave generously that she was able to give more than four times as much as she originally planned.
“My heart just couldn’t tell a kid or a family ‘No,’” she said.
Some of the money came from private donors who wanted to remain anonymous. Other donations came from local businesses. For kids, the donations meant the world.
Two kids came in need of essentials like pillows, sheets and covers, Beck said.
“[Businesses] sponsored, and they went above and beyond,” she said.
Another young woman at 21 years old recently lost her mobility and needed a wheelchair. The fundraiser was able to donate two.
After this year’s success, Beck said she’s committed to hosting another Giving Tree fundraiser next year.
“We hope to see 200-plus kids,” she said.