Cape Coral church gets help from WINK News viewers for its Angel Tree

Reporter: Anika Henanger Writer: Jackie Winchester
Published: Updated:
Grace Church’s tree helps to make sure underprivileged children at nearby elementary schools have gifts for Christmas. (Credit: WINK News)

UPDATE – Dec. 7: Grace Church has been overwhelmed with gifts for their Angel Tree since WINK News’ story aired.

WINK News viewers came through for Grace Church in Cape Coral after our story aired about the lack of gifts for their Angel Tree. (Credit: Grace Church)

“The Amazon driver arrived earlier….took 90 minutes to unload! We will be taking so many kids off the waiting list!” said Heather Evans.

Evans said more than 500 gifts were sent to the church since the story aired and will allow them serve nearly 300 kids.

Thank you, WINK viewers!

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A Cape Coral church says people aren’t helping out with their Angel Tree this year as they have in years past.

Grace Church’s tree helps to make sure underprivileged children at nearby elementary schools have gifts for Christmas.

We go into this holiday season with a lot lost, but the church hopes that somehow, that helps us understand the urgent need to give.

“People are really struggling to catch up for the time that they were off work, to stay caught up, and just to make ends meet in general. So Christmas gifts are really kind of an extra thing that a lot of families just aren’t able to do for the kids this year,” said Heather Evans, director of Reach and Send at Grace Church.

We’re just 22 days from Christmas and tags still cover the church’s Angel Tree. Each tag represents a child’s wish that as of Thursday, is unfulfilled.

One reason: COVID-19 is keeping people away from Sunday services.

“Because we don’t have contact with as many families and people who would normally donate this year, we’re having a hard time getting the word out. So we have a long waiting list of kids,” Evans said.

She understands it’s tough for people to look past their own troubles to what seems like an unending need.

But if giving really is as good as receiving, what better Christmas gift to give yourself than making a child’s wish come true.

Grace Church said if anyone wants to help, you can do so through its Amazon Registry.

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