January 14, 2015 – Home, Kan. - Blue Valley Tele-Communications’ 19th Annual Giving Tree was successful once again; providing gifts to over 400 local children and their families this Christmas – nearly a 16 percent increase over last year.

The BVTC Giving Tree stretched across the entire BVTC service area and was successful once again because of the generosity and support shown from the people of these rural communities. Cash donations to purchase gifts arrived throughout November and December from anonymous donors as well as financial institutions, service clubs, churches, and others. The Bremen Hustlers 4H organization filled and donated large shopping bags with nonperishables and fruits and the Axtell FFA donated several large boxes of pears and apples.

BVTC employees, along with help from the National Honor Society students from Marysville High School, devoted the week before Christmas to the program; wrapping, sorting, and shopping for gifts.

Many local businesses, healthcare facilities, 4-H organizations, classrooms, and other groups adopted entire families for this program. BVTC ensured all children and their families had gifts. “The need for assistance continues to grow at rates faster than our community can support,” commented Jada Ackerman, public relations director at BVTC and program coordinator, regarding the number of families not adopted. “The [BVTC] Board of Directors, management, and staff are committed to ensuring every child has a gift to open on Christmas morning.”  

Because the program is primarily anonymous, recipients are not always able to personally thank their donors. BVTC has received numerous thank you cards expressing their gratitude for the help and gifts they received. 

Gifts Distributed to 406 Local Children & Families