Ten-year tradition at SCCC keeps Christmas alive for many

Sussex County - There’s a Christmas tree standing near the theater at Sussex County Community College. It’s surrounded by wrapped boxes, and beautifully decorated. But this tree is no mere holiday decoration. It is the annual Holiday Wish Tree. Each ornament contains the name of someone in need. People take the names from the tree and purchase gifts for that person. The gifts are then brought to the college and distributed. Heidi Gregg, the school’s assistant director of student activities, started the charity some ten years ago. “Originally, the student base here was predominantly adults who were returning to school,” Gregg said. “Many had financial difficulties, and were unable to provide gifts for their children at the holidays. We did this for them back then.” The college’s student body has changed over the years, and now is mostly made up of “traditional” students, who enter college shortly after graduating from High School. The student government now runs the annual charity, and gifts received go out to families in the communities throughout the county. According to Gregg, the biggest change over the last ten years is that “more people need help.” Student Government President Julianne Falgiano said that this year there are 95 children whose names appear on the tree. Each child will receive a toy and an article of clothing. “All the names get taken,” she said. Most of the people who buy the gifts are students and faculty at the college. The recipients of the packages are people from around the county who have heard of the program and asked to be included. “Most of this happens ‘word of mouth,’” said Gregg. The deadline for getting on the list is Thanksgiving. People who take names must have their gifts turned in at the college by Dec. 12 Gifts are then sorted and organized, and will be distributed to their intended recipients on Dec. 19.