By Don Rush

Looking to spread a little joy this holiday season? Virtually, and litterally you can help fill Leonard Elementary School’s annual “Giving Tree.”
This year the coronavirus and stay home orders from the state have forced the folks at Leonard Elem to improvise a wee bit. The 2020 Giving Tree is now the 2020 “Virtual Giving Tree” where you can “pick” a gift(s) to provide.
As of last Friday there were 17 local families the Giving Tree will help.

According to sources at Leonard Elem, “parents, staff, community members and local businesses can anonymously sign up and purchase holiday gifts for the families. The wrapped gifts are returned to the school where they are distributed to the families.”
Wrapped gifts should have a tag that indicates Family Number, child gender/age, and contents of gift.
This is done anonymously. However, you will be asked to provide a valid email address to use the site. You will also be asked to enter a name. This can be first name, family name, business, “anonymous” or anything else. None of this information is visible or shared.
As of Friday, there were 61 opportunities to help. To sign up go to https://signup.com/go/ryeZUVt
The Giving Tree serves three major purposes.
1. Often the Giving Tree is able to help families during the holidays at just the right time. However, the Giving Tree is not just for families in need. It is also used to welcome families, express gratitude, acknowledge sacrifices families have made for their children, or just show appreciation for being part of the school community.
2. The Giving Tree brings the community together. Parents, staff, community members, businesses and organizations all participate in Leonard Elementary’ s Giving Tree.
3. The Giving Tree helps students witness and understand the spirit of giving, community, taking care of each other and doing something nice for one another.
Contact Leonard Elementary principal Paul McDevitt via email at paul.mcdevitt@oxfordschools.org, for consideration to be anonymously added to the tree.