By Megan Pope
Lakeland Preparatory School (LPS) PTO is facing an unprecedented need this holiday season: double the number of students referred to the Angel Tree program as in years past. They hope that, with the community’s help, no child will be turned away.
Over the last few years, the LPS Angel Tree program provided holiday gifts to 20 students on average. This year, 38 names are on the list. The goal is to spend at least $200 on each student’s wish list, making the fundraising minimum $7,600.
“Our Angel Tree initiative allows students in need in our own school community to be blessed each holiday season,” said Lakeland Prep Principal Corrie Martin. “We are grateful that our PTO understands the importance of this program and prioritizes it each year.”
The school now serves grades 5-12, after adding one grade per year over four years. With a growing school comes a growing need. In addition, the recent government shutdown affected paychecks, as well as benefits some families utilize to make ends meet.
LPS PTO planned multiple Angel Tree fundraisers prior to learning about the increased need. They painted faces at the Lakeland Arts and Crafts Festival, collected in the morning car line, and had a Spirit Night at Owners Box Sports Grill in Lakeland, among others. Another Lakeland business, Mom’s Boards and Cups, is also supporting Angel Tree. If you order a charcuterie board by November 21 and mention LPS Angel Tree, 10% will go back to the program. That includes holiday preorders.
In its final fundraising push this week, Lakeland Prep’s PTO hopes the community will contribute with the size of its heart: big. If your office, church small group, or club would like to cover a child’s Christmas, a $200 donation would make that happen. A family with siblings could be shopped for with up to $1,000. Scan the QR code or click here to donate to a Lakeland child’s Merry Christmas.
