LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – The Giving Tree program started as a way to give gifts to kids at lower-income schools, but over time, those kind acts led those kids to contribute to the program’s growth.

“This is a really special time of year. The giving tree is one of our programs where we are really able to give back to the community,” said Northeast YMCA’s executive director Luke Stege-Tompsett.

The annual drive provides about three gifts to every single student at Pershing and Elliot Elementary schools.

Those gifts come from donations collected from the beginning of November until their distribution day on Dec. 12.

“We kind of want to bridge that gap for kids that don’t get a holiday gift through the season, so that’s where we come in and spread the love and joy so that every kiddo can get

See Full Page