PENDLETON â Despite the challenges of the coronavirus pandemic, The Giving Tree at Hamley Western Store in Pendleton saw every tag plucked from its branches this year.
The giving tree, in its 20th year, is a collaboration between local elementary schools, the Pendleton Early Learning Center, the Umatilla County Care Program and the Department of Human Services. The groups submit referrals, or âwish listsâ to the tree, and after community participants take those referrals and gather the gifts, the gifts are provided to at-risk children and their families.
âEvery request is hopefully going to be filled this year,â said Heidi Zeigler, from Umatilla County Health and Human Services, who has worked with the giving tree for about 12 years.