Batesville Rotary Angel Tree sees increase in need as deadline nears

From left: Regina Lilly, Batesville Rotary Club President Dorothy Henning, and Angel Tree Project Coordinator Deanna Greene

With the deadline approaching, the Rotary Club of Batesville is asking for community support as nearly 400 children wait to be adopted through this year’s Angel Tree program — about 100 more than last year and a sign, organizers say, of growing need in the area.

Rotary Club President Dorothy Henning and Angel Tree Project Manager Deanna Greene discussed the demand earlier this week during an interview on Arkansas 103.3 KWOZ. Greene said the increase reflects a deeper strain on local families heading into the holiday season. (Listen to the full interview below.)

Names of children can be picked up at Bank of Cave City at 1141 E. Main St., Suite 100; Citizens Bank at 655 S. St. Louis St.; and First Community Bank at 1325 Harrison St.

Employees of LaCroix Precision Optics and FutureFuel Chemical Co. may adopt children through workplace groups, and members of First Presbyterian Church may participate through the church office.

Those who adopt an angel are asked to purchase age-appropriate gifts from the child’s wish list or choose meaningful items of their own. Gifts must be returned by the close of business Thursday, Dec. 11, to the same location where the child’s name was selected.

The Angel Tree program, organized annually by the Rotary Club of Batesville, provides holiday gifts to children who might otherwise go without.

For more information, Greene can be reached at deannagreen.2022@gmail.com or 870-569-6243.