Annual Angel Tree now in place for 2016

WARWICK — There is one popular holiday mainstay of the annual celebration of Warwick's Home for the Holidays that deserves more attention than usual this year.
The traditional Angel Tree, located on Main Street between Akin's Drug Store and Newhard's The Home Source, is now on display and will be displayed throughout the holiday season.
The Angel Tree benefits the Warwick Ecumenical Food Pantry.
This is how it worksEach angel on the tree identifies a child by gender and age. Passerby are urged to select an angel, purchase a small gift and drop it off at Track 7 Postal Center, 3 Forester Ave., at the corner of Colonial Avenue. There is ample parking in the back and a loading/unloading area near the front entrance.
The tree also features pledge cards in denominations of $10, $25, $50, $100 and "your choice" for people who wish to help the pantry in its primary mission of feeding hungry people in our community.
Passerby can pull a card, and deliver it with a gift, or cash or a check, to Track 7 Postal Center, which has been an active supporter of the pantry for years.
Track 7 is open Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
'Warwick is blessed with so many generous people'"The need in our community continues, especially for our children," said Betsy Mitchell, sponsor of the Angel Tree. "We are asking everyone to reach deep, reflect on their own blessings and stop by the Angel Tree."
The angels will be categorized as boy or girl and in age groups including infant to preschool, elementary school, middle school and high school. And there will be suggestions such as hats, gloves, backpacks, scarves, coats, board games, education games, cards, slippers, stationery and the like.
"We are looking for solid gifts that a child who might ordinarily go without would want to receive," said Mitchell.
In addition to gifts and monetary donations, Track 7 is also accepting non-perishable food items.
Food Pantry Director Glenn Dickes and his wife, Susan, stated: "We are deeply grateful to Betsy Mitchell for creating the Angel Tree every year. Warwick is blessed with so many generous people who step up to help their neighbors in need."
Jim and Eileen Patterson, new owners of Track 7 Postal Center, are pleased to assume Angel Tree receiving duties and are enthusiastic about being a part of this tradition.
Needy families received a Thanksgiving food basket on Nov. 22 and will receive a Christmas food basket on Thursday, Dec. 22 from the Food Pantry, which is located in the Warwick United Methodist Church at 135 Forester Ave.
- Roger Gavan