Averett Family Holds Annual Angel Tree Celebration

Posted on December 1st, 2017 by Webmaster

By Ashley Bowman
Special to the Averett Office of Marketing and Communications

In its fourth and largest year yet, the Center for Community Engagement and Career Competitiveness (CCECC) at Averett has partnered with the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Danville Area for the annual Angle Tree Celebration to sponsor children in need during the holiday season. Averett students teamed up with their friends, different clubs and sports teams – faculty, staff and Board of Trustee members, too – to sponsor 70 angels this Christmas, ranging from ages six  to 17.

“Helping the less fortunate in the town I go to college in is a humbling experience,” Averett sophomore and student-athlete Casey Cook said.

When the children arrived at the University’s Student Center, they were paired with a “buddy” who spent time with them eating pizza and decorating cookies. After dinner, the children and their buddies traveled over to the Carrington Gym to meet Santa and open their presents.

“It’s great,” said Iyesha Cheek, mother of two angels, Aaron and Tadaisha Taborn. “Some kids would not get any presents this Christmas because their parents can’t afford it.”

This event isn’t just rewarding for the children receiving gifts – volunteers are equally pumped about giving the gifts as well.

“When they started opening presents, I got just as excited as them, just to see them smile,” said Kaitlyn Aherron, Averett sophomore and student-athlete. “Especially because it was something they really wanted.”