On August 21, 2021, the city of Waverly suffered a devastating flood. 20 lives were lost that day as well as many homes and businesses.

The Holiday Assistance Program was directly impacted by the flood. We lost our building and all contents (toys, clothing, shoes, etc). With the help of Sheriff Chris Davis, who provided the program with a building to work from, and generous donations from businesses and individuals from across the state, the Holiday Assistance Program was able to provide Christmas in 2021 to over 800 children and seniors, approximately 4 times our usual number. 

We were grateful to Sheriff Davis once more for providing us a building to operate from as we still did not have a new “home.” The Holiday Assistance Program provided Christmas to the flood survivors as well as the qualifying low-income families again.

If you would like to volunteer to help with this program, please call (931) 209-9430. If you would like to donate, please click our Donate tab for more info.

We still did not have a “home,” but were able to work from another building in 2023. A big thank you to Mary McMillan and Regions Bank for allowing us to use the old Regions Bank building for the program. We were able to help 332 children and 44 seniors.

Angel Tree 2024 will forever stand out as one of our most meaningful seasons. After years of operating wherever we could find space, our community came together and made something possible that we weren’t sure we’d ever see… a permanent home.

For so long, we joked about being “homeless,” shifting locations every year and making it work with whatever space was available. But this year was different. Because of the generosity, the prayers, the donations, the hands that showed up, and the hearts that refused to let this program go without… we finally opened the doors to a place of our own.

Walking into that building for the first time felt emotional. It wasn’t just a room. It was a safe, steady space where families could come in, choose gifts with dignity, and feel seen. It was a place where volunteers could breathe, organize, and serve without the stress of wondering where we’d end up next year.

This community made that happen. Every single person and business who supported Angel Tree in 2024 helped turn a long-time dream into reality. We are so grateful for the love, the effort, and the belief in what this program means for our families.

Angel Tree 2024 wasn’t just another season. It was a turning point. And we won’t forget it.