The annual “Giving Tree” program sponsored by JCP CARES will kick off this year’s initiative the Friday after Thanksgiving. Giving Trees represent the wish-list of nineteen St. Johns county charities that have been hit hard by the economic downturn and subsequent budget cuts. Tags on the trees will reflect the four categories that JCP CARES concentrates on each year: children; animals & environment; seniors & medical; and homeless & abuse.
This year the Giving Tree Program has expanded to include participation by local business partners. In addition to the JCP CDD Recreation Center, Giving Trees can be found at the Bartram Trail Library, VyStar Credit Union at Bartram Walk as well as the St. Augustine location, UPS Store at SR13 and Racetrack Rd., PostNet Store on Racetrack Rd., Coldwell Banker Realty at SR13 and Racetrack Rd., Peoples First Community Bank on 210, BB&T on US 1 South and BB&T in Ponte Vedra.
On Saturday, December 6, Santa Claus will make a guest appearance at the newly opened Julington Creek Plantation CDD recreational building. Parents are invited to bring their children from 10-2 to visit with Santa and are encouraged to bring their own cameras for photo opportunities.
In keeping with the holiday spirit, simply locate one of the Giving Trees after Thanksgiving, take a tag or two (or more – an unlimited opportunity!) and bring the unwrapped items back to any tree location no later than December 12th. JCP CARES will then pick up all the gifts, sort and then distribute them to the selected charities.
