Union County Under the Tree Children’s Charities has successfully fulfilled Christmas morning wishes for nearly 500 children in Union County for 2019. This program has a humbling effect for those receiving, distributing and donating.

The program for years has run on community, business and individual donations with much organized effort and volunteer hours invested, of course. This year, for the first time ever, Under the Tree was awarded a grant from the East Tennessee Foundation in the amount of $5,000 to be implemented in purchasing toys for the fulfillment of angel tree programs. Gina Buckner and Brooke Simpson, treasurer of Under the Tree, saw the opportunity for the grant back in the spring and invested some time to apply. This is the first time a grant was applied for in program history, and it turned out to be well worth it.

Volunteers have devoted uncountable hours of shopping, gathering, moving, organizing and so much more to this year’s program. On the shopping trip to fulfill the angles that were not taken from the trees and to retrieve supplemental items, the faithful group of volunteers spent nearly $12,000. This was a true trip of shopping til they dropped.

Many community churches are involved in the event. It is a good way to link the community together all on one day in one location. Some of the churches and organizations bring hygiene items for the families, others share items like socks, detergents, paper goods, blankets and books. The Union County High School Football Team volunteered their hands in assistance where needed on distribution day and shared many blessings. Last year there were even two souls saved at Under the Tree. More than 200 volunteers were present on distribution day alone. This is truly a picture of a heartfelt community event where everyone can come together to bring happiness within the homes of neighbors.

Gina Buckner, Union County Trustee, heads the program and has been a part of it since the early 1990’s. The Union County Seniors Citizens started Toys for Tots during the 1980’s with Mrs. Opa Stansbury. Shortly after, Union County Business and Professionals Association took over, which is where Gina came to be acquainted with the program and later took on the organization and prep. During that time it was converted to Under the Tree Children’s Charities. Gina says, “This has become a community thing and anybody that you talk to that has been, always wants to do it again and be more involved. It is a true blessing.”