West Valley City's Giving Tree seeks donations to help roughly 220 children and 30 seniors

West Valley City officials and community partners used a Giving Tuesday broadcast to urge residents to support the city's Giving Tree program, which organizers said will provide holiday gifts and food support to about 220 children from 84 families and roughly 30 seniors.

Detective Navara, who has led the program for more than two decades, said, "This year, we have approximately 220 kids from, 84 families." He told viewers they can donate money or take a child's name from the digital tree at wvcgivingtree.com and that a QR code is available during the broadcast.

The program pairs community volunteers, city employees and business partners to collect, sort and wrap donations. "We have businesses like Chick fil A. We have, the honorary colonels from West Valley, Walmart, and some others that that help us out every year," Navara said, thanking partners who assist with gifts and outreach.

Cindy Waters, director of the Harmon Senior Center, said the Giving Tree helps about 30 seniors annually and that organizers are focusing this year on food insecurity. "They get so excited, when they're given a gift. It makes them feel connected, makes them feel like they're cared about and, that they weren't forgotten," Waters said, urging listeners, "Don't forget your seniors this holiday season."

Hosts walked viewers through how to sponsor a child: visit wvcgivingtree.com, click "sponsor a child," choose a ticket number, and use the provided sizes and wish lists to pick items. The broadcast emphasized that all donated items must be new and that donors should return gifts unwrapped so volunteers can label and wrap them. Organizers asked that donations be brought to the Utah Cultural Celebration Center by December 11.

The segment included a featured teen profile listing clothing and accessory sizes and a few requested items—hosts cited, for example, a women's small shirt (size 4–6), size 2 pants, size 5.5 shoes, a small coat, underwear and socks, a Hello Kitty stuffed toy and a blow dryer—to help prospective donors choose appropriate gifts.

Local businesses are also pitching in with fundraisers. Melanie Griffith, owner of the Chick-fil-A Valley Fair restaurant at 3817 South 2700 West, described a spirit morning on the 13th from 7:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., and said, "20% of all sales is gonna go to the Giving Tree program." Griffith said the event will include police vehicles for kids to view, Santa on site from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., and the Chick-fil-A cow.

Organizers closed the broadcast by reminding viewers of the website and QR-code option, the Dec. 11 unwrapped-gift drop-off deadline at the Utah Cultural Celebration Center, and that city employees and volunteers will handle wrapping and distribution. The segment ended with seniors leading a holiday song.

For more information or to sponsor a child, visit wvcgivingtree.com.