Kayla McCurter, 19, left, watches as volunteer Stephanie Deverell wraps a present for one of her children as part of the Giving Tree program. The donations were available for families that missed the application cutoff deadline for Christmas items.Jamie Houser has a job as a housekeeper and her hours kept getting cut, so she told her three children they wouldn't get anything for Christmas this year.
Then Houser found out about United Way's Giving Tree, where she got two bags of toys and winter jackets.
"They're kind of sad now," she said of her children, "but they will be happy to get something."
Houser's is one of 80 families the United Way's Giving Tree has helped this year. Monday was the last opportunity for families to get gifts through the Giving Tree, which supplies gifts to families who missed the Dec. 10 deadline to get gifts from other social service agencies.
"This is the last hope they have before Christmas to get gifts," said Windy Brooks, United Way's volunteer director.
The Giving Tree helped 20 more families this year than in 2009, Brooks said.
On Monday, a local church fellowship hall was full of toys, makeup, gift cards and books to be gifts for youths from toddlers to teenagers. There also was a room lined with coats and winter jackets.
"I want families to know we care about our community," Brooks said.
Local businesses, individuals, churches and organizations donated the gifts, she said.
The Giving Tree is sponsored by the Corporate Volunteer Council.
Kayla McCurter said the Giving Tree helped her out a lot.
"I wasn't able to do much for my kids this Christmas. I lost my job," said the 19-year-old single mother of two.
When both women thought all hope for gifts was gone, United Way gave them the address of the church, where they were allowed to select two new gifts for each of their children. Then they were allowed to select winter coats or jackets.
Andrew Rudolph, a Notre Dame High School student, was among several volunteers who wrapped gifts for families and helped them carry packages to their car.
"[Volunteering] is just the right thing to do, and it helps the unfortunate," he said.
Kelsye Wilson, a teller at First Tennessee Bank and a UTC education major, also was among the volunteers.
"I want to see families in need get the help that they need," she said.