Just inside the front door to Jessie’s Closet Foster Child Resource Center on Avenue A is a Christmas tree adorned with yellow and red tags calling for “A Very Merry Foster Christmas.” Known as the Giving Tree, the tags contain wishes for presents shared by one of Yuma’s foster children.

As the 2025 holiday season kicks off, staff and volunteers reflect on the significance of this particular tree.

“Last year, we were able to provide incredible gifts to more than 160 foster kids,” Karen Liles, program manager of Jessie’s Closet, said in a press release. “We anticipate even more presents for kids this year.”

The Closet partners with local foster agencies, court appointed special advocates, tribal case managers and the Arizona Department of Child Safety to collect the names, genders, ages

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