Lisa Stark PHOTOS | Starkimages Photography | www.lisastark.com
By LISA STARK
Contributing Writer/Photographer
Laden with gifts ranging from toy trucks and action figures to plush animals and dolls, the “Children’s Angel Tree” at Valencia Lakes stands as a shining example of the Christmas “spirit of giving.”
Sponsored by the Valencia Lakes West Women’s Club, the Angel Tree is in its seventh year of existence, providing gifts to needy infants, children and teens of Wimauma.
“It’s all about families,” said Marie Sigler, chairman of the annual Christmas toy drive, describing the relationship that has developed between the Valencia Lakes Women’s Club and Our Lady of Guadalupe Mission Church, on U.S. 301 in Sun City Center. An extension of Prince of Peace Catholic Church, the mission church arose to meet the needs of Spanish-speaking migrant workers whose families are setting down roots in the community.
Originally, the mission church was very small, but it has grown in proportion to the needs of its congregation. The church offers vital services to its largely Mexican population, including legal advice, education, social services and health-care assistance. “These parents want their children to succeed,” said Sigler. “It’s been a pleasure to work with these hardworking families.”
The Angel Tree concept is beautifully simple. Each year the VL Women’s group is given a list of qualified children, identified only by age. The women then cut out the angels, which are hung on the enormous Christmas tree in the Valencia Lakes clubhouse. Contributors are asked to purchase an “age-appropriate” gift for each angel, which is then placed under the tree to be distributed to the children of the mission church. Since families may have more than one child, the ages range from infancy to teenagers.
“This year we have 416 angels,” said Sigler, who is aided by her co-chairman and “right-hand person” Grace Solow. Donors are requested to honor the $20 minimum on each gift, and it’s recommended that gift cards from local stores like Walmart and Bealls be purchased for teens, so that they can select their own gifts from easily accessible stores.
Large-ticket items such as musical instruments, bikes, sports equipment and scooters are also purchased. These are entered into a lottery at the mission church, and shared within families that have more than one child. This contributes to the church’s goal of keeping families together and fostering values of solidarity and unity.
Many migrant families have relied on seasonal jobs that have kept them moving around the country to provide for their families. The children learn to be adaptable to changing environments, but this transience also causes some, especially teens, to fall prey to negative influences such as drugs and gang activity.
The mission church is dedicated to keeping these families solidified and reaching out to teens through their youth programs. Education director Marcella Leone addresses family concerns in her role with the mission church, working closely with parents and teens to determine positive pathways in life.
The Angel Tree toy drive is truly a group effort, utilizing the generous donation of time and talent from more than 40 volunteers from Valencia Lakes. On Friday, Dec. 19, the gifts were wrapped and transported to Our Lady of Guadalupe by a 12-car caravan from Valencia Lakes.
“Everyone has a job,” said Marie Sigler, adding that many of the members enjoy attending the gift-opening celebration at the mission church. “The children are so thankful, polite and gracious,” said Sigler, “It’s heartwarming.”
The charitable activities of the Valencia Lakes Women’s Club doesn’t end with Christmas. They sponsor a variety of events throughout the year, including the “Cancer Walk” in November, which raised $20,000 for the Moffitt Cancer Center, and scholarship-funding events, raising $10,000 that was awarded to local students last year.
For more information about Valencia Lakes, visit www.55places.com/florida/communities/valencia-lakes
