While the weather outside feels more like late September, Thanksgiving is just two weeks away, and there are just 46 shopping days left till Christmas. What to do for that hard to buy for person or the boss who has everything? Here’s a thought: sponsor some presents for one of the kids on Inskip Elementary School’s Angel Tree.
Inskip is one of Knox County’s 33 Title 1 schools, which are defined as having a student body with at least 40% from low-income families. Many of Inskip’s students live at or below the poverty line. Five years ago, principal Megan Blevins, Ph.D., (when she was assistant principal) helped start the Angel Tree committee there.
Inskip Principal Megan Blevins in her happy office.
“That first year, honestly, was a complete disaster,” Blevins said. “We now have it down to a fine science. It is quite the process, but I think we’ve perfected it.”
Blevins said that out of 550 students, this year 308 have requested a spot on the Angel Tree, over half the student body. She explained that the ask is for shoppers or donors to spend $40-$60 on each child. The students submit a list of “wants” and “needs.”
“That way we’re able to get them a present or two as well as some necessities, like socks or gloves or underwear,” Blevins said. “Anyone who wants to sponsor a child or 10 can come by the school and select them off the tree and do the shopping themselves, or they can come by or call to make a donation, and we will do the shopping for them.”
The deadline is fast approaching. Blevins hopes to have all of the Angels adopted/donations in by Nov. 22. All presents need to be purchased and wrapped and returned to the school by Dec. 6 for distribution before winter break. Members of the student council wrap the presents purchased by the committee.
“It’s their way of giving back,” she said of her students. “I think it would be great if some local businesses decided to sponsor some of these kids. We have several that have participated with us each year.”
While gearing up for the Angel Tree is at the forefront of finishing off the semester for Blevins, she said Inskip has several other big events on the calendar in the coming weeks. With the help of the Friends of Inskip Elementary, the school is helping 200 student families with Thanksgiving dinner.
This Friday, Nov. 11, Inskip is having a special Veterans’ Day program for the military families of current students. The performance will feature 2nd and 3rd grade students with their parents and families. On Nov. 21, the 4th grade students perform at Inskip Gives Back, featuring the Dream Eats Food Truck providing meals for the families. And lastly, the school hosts its Winter Festival on Dec. 15 with Santa and Elves and a $5 pancake dinner fundraiser.
With all these other events, pulling together Angel Tree sponsors seems a daunting task.
“I freak out about it a bit every year,” Blevins said. “But we’re gonna pull it off. We always do.”
Anyone interested in sponsoring a student can call the school at 865-689-1450.
Beth Kinnane is the community news editor for KnoxTNToday.com