The holiday season is time to give back to those in need. For two Bergman middle school students, giving is the main focus on their Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) project this Christmas.
For Daizie Riggs, she found inspiration for her project after visiting her mother at work. Michelle Riggs is a nurse at NARMC’s Claude Parrish Cancer Center.
“I noticed young patients undergoing cancer treatment. Many of them have children. Since cancer treatment is so expensive, I knew that they may not be able to afford many presents this year,” Daizie said.
Daizie and her friend Madeline Moon decided to create an angel tree for the children of cancer patients. Their project is called “Tis the Season to Give.” Daizie and Madeline are participating in the FCCLA STAR (Students Taking Action with Recognition) program. Their project is in line with their platform of child advocacy.
In the lobby of the Claude Parrish Cancer Center, a table proudly displays two trees. Each tree contains several paper ornament. The ornaments include the child’s age, gender, clothing sizes and hobbies.
The deadline to adopt a child and bring in unwrapped presents is December 14. Daizie and Madeline will wrap the gifts and have them ready for parents to pick them up before Christmas.
“We feel so blessed that we don't have to worry about our basic necessities or where they come from and we wanted these children to feel the same way,” Daizie and Madeline said. “We wanted their parents to be able to give their kids the Christmas they deserve.”
For more information, stop by Claude Parrish Cancer Center at 620 North Main Street in Harrison or call 870-414-4244.