WEST JORDAN, Utah — A small army of volunteers is making sure nearly 200 children will wake up to presents under their Christmas tree.
A Facebook group called "Utah Current Needs" asked people to post the names of children in danger of not receiving gifts on Christmas.
“Within 20 minutes, we had 180 kids signed up,” said Whitney Foote, a creator of the group. “Christmastime, our engagement on that page has gone up 100 percent.”
Since starting the group in October, Foote has seen the economic crisis facing many families.
“Parents have had a hard time keeping their cell phones on, let alone get their child even a dollar store present,” Foote said. “It opened my eyes to poverty.”
Many others were moved by the amount of need in the community. For weeks, they donated and collected books, pajamas and toys so each child on the list would receive gifts.
Monday night, those gifts were delivered.
“Every single person that filled out a form received three presents in a bag,” Foote said. “It breaks my heart, but also makes me feel good that as bad as it seems right now, Utah is full of families that want to help.”
The good deed did not go unnoticed. Foote shared several messages from parents grateful for the help during this season of giving.
One read, “Thank you so much for their gifts. It means the world to me.”
"Utah Current Needs" will continue to connect people in need with those who have the resources to give.
Their page can be found here.
