CULLMAN – Every child should have the Christmas of their dreams, and Standard Furniture is helping to make those dreams come true this holiday season. At the store, there is an Angel Tree decorated with ornaments that represent less fortunate children in the Cullman community. On the ornaments are the children’s age, gender and wish list for this Christmas.
“It’s okay to purchase items that are not on the child’s list,” said Frieda Trosclair, credit manager at Standard Furniture. She mentioned that the list is only a guideline to use while shopping for the child. All you have to do is select the child for whom you would like to sponsor and buy, and then bring the gifts back wrapped and ready to be placed under the tree. All gifts need to be returned to Standard Furniture by 6 p.m. on December 11. The gifts are then organized, picked up by the child’s school, and then picked up by the parents. All of this has to be done before the children go home for Christmas break.
The children in need are recognized by their guidance counselors from local schools in Cullman County. This year the store has taken around eight children from 10 different schools. “When we tell them we want kids, we include the siblings in the family,” Frieda said. She added that there are about 60 children left to sponsor this year and looks forward to all of them being provided for.
Frieda also mentioned that if you want to sponsor a child, but do not have time to go shopping, it is okay to donate money. She said that the store will be happy to do your shopping or even purchase gift cards for the children. Some gifts have already been bought, wrapped and turned in for this year. If you do not have time to wrap the gifts, just be sure to get them back to Standard Furniture with some wrapping paper and the employees will wrap them for you.
Frieda said that Standard Furniture has had an Angel Tree for about five years now. There is even a boy who comes in with his parents who chooses to sponsor a child. Instead of asking for presents for himself, he shops for one of the needy children. Frieda said there are a couple of kids like that, and that there are even families that do the shopping as a tradition together. She said that Webb Wheel has sponsored five or six kids and some church groups do the same. There is not an average amount that you are asked to spend on the child. Instead, whatever you are able to give is more than what the child would receive had you not sponsored them. “Anything is more than they have,” Frieda said.
On December 6, Santa will be visiting Standard Furniture for visits and pictures. Stop by to see him and pick out a child to sponsor while you are there. Standard Furniture is located at 906 Perry Street SW Cullman, AL 35055. For further questions, give them a call at 256-734-6564 or email them at cullman@standardfurniture.net. Their hours of operation are Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
