Giving tree project assists underprivileged -- EDITED

     Washburn's 14th annual Giving Tree Project offers students and community members

               Photo courtesy of Haley Stallbaumer

the chance to help local children in need during the holiday season. The theme for this year is "Deck the Halls with Christmas Presents."  
     The Catholic Campus Center, located at 17th St. and Jewell, started this philanthropic project back in 2002 with the goal of reaching out to the Topeka community. 
     Every tree will be decorated with red and green angel tags, which will each have a particular toy listed on the back of the card. Christmas trees will be placed in specific locations on or near the Washburn campus.
     This year's Christmas tree locations are: the Catholic Campus Center, the International House, the Leadership Institute in Benton Hall 408, the radiology department in Benton Hall 114, the Living Learning Center lobby, the Student Recreation and Wellness Center and the Washburn Student Government Association office. 
     Participants are recommended to visit one of the trees, select an angel tag and purchase the listed gift. All unwrapped gifts, along with their angel tag, must be returned to that tree's location by noon on Dec. 4.
     After the Dec. 4 collection, all gifts will be delivered to Doorstep, Let's Help, Inc. and the Topeka Rescue Mission. These gifts will benefit newborns through 13-year-old children who need some extra help during the holidays.          
     For more information, call Shelby Ferguson or Patti Lyon at the Catholic Campus Center at (785) 233-2204 or email wucatholic@hotmail.com with "Giving Tree" as the subject line.