The sixth annual Giving Tree Service Project has kicked off its 2007 campaign. The Catholic Campus Center as well as the Washburn Residence Association, Multicultural Affairs and the Washburn Student Government Association have started placing their individual trees around campus.

Each tree is decorated with angel tags that have gifts listed on the back. The gifts are meant to benefit children in the Topeka area who may otherwise miss out on Christmas. A student may pick up an angel tag at any one of the three locations. The trees are located at the Catholic Campus Center on the corner of 17th Street and Jewell Avenue, the Multicultural Affairs Office in room 110 of Morgan Hall or the WSGA office in the lower level of Memorial Union. The gifts must be returned by noon Friday, Dec. 7, to the place where the tag was picked.

Patti Lyon, CCC director, believes it is crucial for Washburn students to spread the joy of Christmas.

“This is a way for our Washburn community to share the riches with those less fortunate in Topeka,” said Lyon. “It is good to be compassionate. Most of us have the financial means to buy gifts for the ones we love if we choose to.”

Students involved with CCC and WSGA will deliver the gifts Dec. 7. The gifts will go to the Topeka Rescue Mission, Let’s Help and Doorstep. After the gifts have been delivered, parents in need have the opportunity to go shopping for their children at no charge at the Mission, Doorstep and Let’s Help.

“Washburn students, really any university student is rich, whether they realize it or not,” said Lyon. “They are given the opportunity for an education that will prepare them to be active leaders in their communities. Many of the families, children who are in need during the holiday seasons, have no and will not have these opportunities.”

For more information or to see this year’s theme, visit www.wucatholic.homestead.com/givingtree2007.html.