On the eve of Christmas Eve, I thought I should blog about this year’s “Yap Hindi Kuri” or “Tree of Good Sprit”.  Each year the members of the Charlotte Catholic Anthropology Club with support from the Sage Project adopt a child or children from the Catawba Nation’s Tree of Good Spirit, which is similar to Angel Tree.

This year, due to donations during our Sage Mailbox Bows, the Sage Project raised enough money to allow the CCHS Anthropology Club members to adopt two children.  We adopted a little girl, age two and a boy, age six.  Members of the Club signed up to purchase individual items on each child’s wish list and then the Sage Project filled in the balance of the wish list.  

The little girl was into Paw Patrol and dolls.  The young man requested a play cash register, tumbling mat, Pete the Cat books and other items. 

It is always fun to watch the gifts roll in.  I then check the gifts to make sure that we have everything that each child asked for, photograph the gifts all together (to show our Club members) and package them into large bags to transfer and drive them out to the Catawba Nation Long House to their Division of Family Services.

I personally enjoy the delivery and while I always invite our Club members to join me, the Nation is about forty-five minutes away from the school and donations have to be dropped prior to 4:00pm.  I do make sure to share the success of the collection in our next newsletter and at the next club meeting, as the students love hearing about it.  

The Tree of Good Spirit is the last event for the year and a lovely way to wrap up the whirlwind time that begins in November with Native American History month.  

Wishing everyone a Happy Holiday Season full of Peace and Goodwill.  

Cheers to 2024,

Annabelle