HISTORY

The Angel Tree was started in 1975 by the West Knoxville Business & Professional Women's Club (BPW) as a community service project to provide Christmas gifts for 70 underprivileged children. In 1982 the Club disbanded and Angel Tree Chairman, Laura Kress, organized a group of committed volunteers to continued the project under the auspices of The Boys & Girls Clubs of Knoxville.  In 1994 The Angel Tree incorporated as a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation.  It is supported by a Board of Volunteer Directors. Their decisions are implemented by an Executive Director.

This is the 38th year of  The Angel Tree. It has given birth to other Angel Trees in neighboring cities and the concept has served as a model for many churches, civic groups and shopping malls. The result? Thousands upon thousands of needy children in Tennessee and across the nation receive a visit from Santa Claus-and the hope of a brighter tomorrow.