Perry County Students Support Classmates Through Angel Tree Project

Officials at Perry County Central High School said the Angel Tree project on November 26 placed more than 170 students with sponsors who pledged to provide a coat, an outfit, a pair of shoes and a couple of requested items for each child. The initiative is part of a broader district program run through family resource centers that works to provide Christmas assistance to any student in need.

Each sports team at the school took part by sponsoring at least one student, with the PCCHS softball team among those matched with an angel. “There’s a little boy that we’re giving back to. He wants some boots, some clothes, some hunting gear. I mean, it’s pretty good to just be able to give back to him,” said sophomore Jacklynn Amis, a student athlete at PCCHS. Amis added that the work also strengthened relationships within the team. “It’s just a great feeling just giving back to the community to get him what he needs and what we feel like he needs. Some people don’t have as much and it’s just a really good feeling overall,” she said.

By limiting cards to first names only, school officials sought to protect student privacy while allowing parents, faculty and community members to choose an angel to sponsor. That effort reflects an understanding that material needs are often tied to wider social and economic challenges, and that schools frequently serve as a critical access point for support beyond academics.

For local public health, providing warm clothing and proper footwear can reduce exposure to cold related illness, help prevent injuries, and ease stress that contributes to poor mental and physical health. For educators, the project helps remove barriers to school attendance and participation that can arise from unmet basic needs. For the community, the Angel Tree has become a recurring way for neighbors to demonstrate mutual support and for young people to engage in civic responsibility.

While the project offers immediate relief during the holiday season, organizers and community observers say sustained investment in family resource centers and policies that address child poverty and access to health and social services would amplify long term benefits for Perry County families.