Santa and his elves definitely had a lot more angels hanging on Angel Trees this year, from 200 young angels (students from Checotah Schools) to 64 golden angels (Checotah Nursing Center residents and senior citizens). Christmas trees were full at several participating businesses as the season of giving kicked off right after Thanksgiving Day and rolled into December.

The Angel Tree program, which was originally started by the Kiwanis Club in 1995, was adopted by the Checotah Lions Club in 1998 when the Kiwanis disbanded and fellow Lions saw there was still a need in the area. So they took on the daunting task during one of the busiest times of the season.

Through the years several Lion members have taken the reins of this Christmas project but it truly takes a community to get everything done in time to get presents under the Christmas tree each year.

Since becoming a Lion Club member in 2015, Lion Iris Park has served as Lion President in 2018 and 2019 and Lion Secretary from 2020 to 2024, but she stated her hardest yet most rewarding task has been heading up the annual Angel Tree Project for the last six years.

“We are always excited to give back to our community and work with the local school on the Angel Tree Project each year,” says Lion Park. “It is truly a labor of love as we shop for these angels who need shoes, clothes and even a toy or two. Of course what child doesn’t want a bike under their Christmas tree?

“I’ve lived in San Francisco, New York City and all over Oklahoma, but I consider Checotah my hometown because of how much love comes from our community during times like these. Every year, no matter what, individuals and organizations like the Checotah Art Guild, the Checotah FFA, the United Methodist Mission, the Masonic Lodge #86 and so many more step up to make sure everyone has a memorable Christmas. Now we have even added our senior residents. What a wonderful act of humanitarianism!”

Past President, Lion Tony Fields lends his stock trailer each year for transporting all the gifts that go back to the school unwrapped but bagged for parents to pick up. In past years, volunteers have spent days wrapping all the gifts and helping Santa (Lion Robert Jennings) to hand deliver the gifts to parents and students in the school’s gymnasium. However, this year due to such a huge volume increase, parents were asked to pick up the gifts at school this past Tuesday.

“We are so excited that all these angels will have a merrier Christmas this year thanks to the Checotah Lions Club, Checotah Schools’ personnel, Checotah Art Guild and the generosity of the public. We want to thank everyone who helped make Christmas a little brighter. I couldn’t be prouder of our little town.”