Every holiday season angels aren’t just around fellow believers, they are also the symbols placed on Christmas trees around town in hopes that everyone’s Christmas is merry and bright. Whether it’s a gift for a child or an elder, each angel represents a need in McIntosh County that can be met by kind, caring individuals who want to make a difference in their community. With two unique programs, Lions Club Angel Tree Program and the Checotah Art Guild Golden Christmas, there are plenty of angels to choose from during this time of year.

If blessing a child in needisonyourChristmas list this year then pick up a Lion’s Tree angel at Peoples National Bank, Armstrong Bank, First Family Credit Union, Walmart, Atwood’s, Sharpe’s Department Store or Fast Lanes Bowl.

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.

If blessing a nursing home resident stop by the Heartland Heritage Museum & Gallery to pick up an angel off their angel tree.

A “Golden Christmas” is being sponsored by the Checotah Art Guild again this year and will benefit residents at the Checotah Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.

Remember to return the unwrapped gifts by Dec. 10 so gifts can be wrapped and presented to the specific places by Santa’s helpers.