With Christmas nearing, tis’ the season for neatly wrapped presents to be placed under the twinkling tree. For bus driver Gloria Arrendondi, it is another holiday season struggling to provide for her children.

“My husband and I do not make a lot of money,” Arrendondi said. “We can’t buy those presents that every kid would ask for.”

Five years ago, Arrendondi and her family were accepted into the Angel Tree Organization. Through the program, children and families are picked anonymously after submitting applications and proof of residency. The children’s basic information are then written on tags which are placed on the Christmas tree for community members to pick and buy. The Student Council members of both middle and high school held the Angel Tree Dinner on Dec. 10 to promote the charity organization.

“It would be impossible for me to provide the presents my kids want,” Arrendondi said. “When we get help from the Angel Tree, it makes a huge difference. To me, these people are Santa.”

The Angel Tree began in 1999 and has helped the Arrendondi family, especially son Rodrigo Villanueva, experience a “better Christmas”.

“It was amazing!” Rodrigo said. “I remember myself screaming when I got a Nerf Basketball. I remember telling my mom ‘This is great! This is the best!’. I am so thankful for everything.”

Arrendondi said receiving the presents was very emotional for the first time. She was not used to the kindness and giving of the Argyle community.

“Where I had lived before, there was nothing like this,” she said. “It was the first time in my life that I had got something from people who didn’t even know who I was. The minute I got the presents I cried. Knowing that I can put smiles on my kids’ faces is amazing.”

President and Angel Tree Chairman Sherry Cargile has been involved in the Arrendondi’s case for many years.

“Mrs. Gloria is always so appreciative and thankful,” Cargile said. “She always wants to help.”

This year was Cargile’s fourth year to be a part of the foundation. Along the way, she has gained “many memories that will last a life time”.

“I started from the very first Angel Tree Dinner when I came to listen to my son speak. I got involved and dove right in. I remember when this family came to get their presents. It was the look on their face that I was sold that first year. They called me their Little Santa Clause. I just had to keep going.”

Growing up, Cargile experienced similar situations to which the families-in-need are enduring.

“I came from very similar surrounding as the people that we help,” Cargile said. “I understand what they go through on a daily basis. My husband and I have come from nothing, to successful, and we love to give back.”

Since Cargile’s first year, the organization has grown, and now represents 37 families. With 14 members and 6 active members, the Angel Tree organization has doubled the amount of funds received.

“Every year I try to do bigger and better,” Cargile said. “This year has been our biggest year. 106 kids. 856 tags. We probably only have about 50 left. So, I am pretty thankful for that!”

Cargile believes a lot of the success of the Angel Tree Organization is owed to the community.

“The community always steps up,” she said. “I have people calling me, emailing me, texting me saying ‘Hey, I need a tag, how many do you have left?’. This is the most generous and giving community I have ever lived in. Ever.”

At the Angel Tree dinner, both Cargile and Arrendondi were able to speak about their personal experiences.

“I was really excited to be given the opportunity to meet the people behind all of this and meet who was giving me these presents,” Arrendondi said. “I have been waiting all this time to meet these people. It’s amazing to know the people who have the heart to share.”

STUCO president Kenna Roberts throughly enjoyed hearing Arrendondi’s speech and thanks.

“It was really special to have Gloria come and speak,” Roberts said. “It is nice to see these presents actually go to someone and see that our community makes a difference. With Argyle, you usually think ‘Oh, the rich people’, but there are a lot of people in need here.”

Through the dinner, the Angel Tree program raised over $650 in donations with twice as many people attending the event.

“We have been working on this for a couple weeks, but the Angel Tree Dinner went really well,” STUCO adviser Jennifer Fischer said. “Hopefully a lot of angels came off the tree, and families will be helped this Christmas.”