Modesto Soroptimist tree opens for picking

The Soroptimist Community Christmas Tree project at Vintage Faire Mall begins today, to supply needed gifts and Christmas wishes to nearly 3,400 local underprivileged children.

The tree is bursting with gift-request tags, most of which are for warm clothes, bedding and shoes. The children are selected by schoolteachers and social-service agency workers. All of the children are guaranteed gifts — those not selected by the public are taken care of through community donations. The process is simple: Select a tag from the tree, check it out at the adjacent kiosk, shop for the child, return the gifts with the tag to the kiosk. Donors may buy the items anywhere. Some mall merchants give a discount for items bought for the gift tree.

Once the gifts are returned to the Soroptimists, volunteers will wrap the gifts and arrange for them to be delivered.

The Soroptimists will accept gifts purchased without a specific child in mind. Cash donations also are welcomed.

The tree — a project of Soroptimist clubs in Modesto and staffed by volunteers — will be up through Dec. 19. It is on the second level of the mall, in front of the entrance to Forever 21 and just across from the food court.

Anyone interested in volunteering at the Soroptimist Community Christmas Tree should call Patty Good at 575-9623.