Veterans Giving Tree

Modeled after the Angel Trees that help provide Christmas presents or meals to families, the Veterans Giving Tree, organized by Havre Elks Lodge #1201, is specifically to help veterans during the Christmas season.

Organizer Brandy Kurtz said the Elks Lodge has a tree decorated with tags that include the name of area veterans and up to three needs each. Sponsors can take one, two, or three of the tags to fulfill those needs for the veteran for Christmas.

Started last year, Kurtz said, this program has been met by a great outpouring of generosity by sponsors. In 2018, she said, 12 veterans signed up initially and within five days all their needs were sponsored. They ended up with 16 veterans who received gifts.

Monday, Kurtz said they have had 14 veterans sign up this year and each has been paired with a sponsor, but they are looking for more veterans and sponsors to provide as much support as possible to area veterans.

The gifts they are asking for, she said, are not outrageous extravagances. They are asking for things like a 12-inch frying pan, a hot meal, a coat, socks and winter wear. These are just basic needs for everyday living, she added, and it’s a comfort to these veterans, many of whom are elderly and don’t necessarily have someone to take care of them or they are on fixed incomes.

Kurtz said organizers are looking for veterans across the area who need items or even services.

The veterans may need encouragement to sign up, but they — as well as more sponsors — have until Dec. 16 to contact her. The gifts will be handed out Dec. 19. Those in and around Havre will be delivered, but gifts for those farther out, such as Harlem and Hays areas, will need arrangements made to be picked up.

Any veterans or sponsors who wish to sign up can contact Kurtz at 390-0091.