KYLE — Many may not know that, just like himself, Santa has helpers that work year-round. Every September, when children are starting the school year, running around the playground and solving math problems, the Hays CISD counselor and communications teams are preparing for the district's annual Angel Tree Project.
Now in its 15th year, coordinator of volunteers and partnerships Elizabeth Bracamontes explained that the project initially began when staff members took note of students wearing the same two or three outfits to school, using one pair of shoes for the entire year and only eating during the school day and not at home. It was then that counselors would do additional research to find assistance programs for the families and students, but these did not always apply to the holidays: “Once we found a need, we found that also our Hays community and district have that giving spirit, that they wanted to support these kiddos that are in need,” she said.
Because of this, the Angel Tree Project, which matches families to donors, was created in hopes of supporting Hays CISD students and their siblings.
