by Mireya Hernandez
Daily Lobo
PlayStation 3s and iPods might be the most wanted Christmas presents, but all some people want is underwear, batteries and soccer balls.
The UNM Giving Tree is now in the SUB Atrium.
The ornaments hanging on the tree have gift tags with information about a child or family, including age range, gender and things they would like for Christmas.
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Some of the requests on this year's tags include board games, a deck of cards, underwear, makeup and batteries.
The tree is co-sponsored by ASUNM Community Experience and the SUB.
It helps underprivileged families and children in New Mexico through charities like the Ronald McDonald House and A New Day Shelter.
"It's a way for us to give back to the greater community," said Margi Miranda, executive
director of Community Experience. "Something as simple as taking a tag from a tree can make families' lives better."
About 270 tags are on the tree this year.
There were no gift tags left on last year's tree.
All gifts must be unwrapped and have the gift tag attached.
Donations can be dropped off at ASUNM's office in the SUB or the Student Resident Center desk by Dec. 15.
Jacque Garcia, SUB marketing and communication specialist, said the tags have several gift options. That way, donors can buy one or several gifts, depending on their budget, she said.
"We're looking to be realistic. Most items are in the $20 to $30 range," she said. "It's open to the entire community, not just students, so people can buy one gift or a combination of gifts. It's up to their discretion what to buy."
Miranda said families often request necessities.
"They don't ask for gifts. They ask for what they need," she said. "This is a way to give to families around the community who might not have the means to have a good holiday."
The gifts stay unwrapped until they're given to family members, so they can wrap the gifts themselves and be included in the giving process, Miranda said.
Student Rebecca Davila said there's special meaning in
donating gifts anonymously.
She participated in last year's giving tree and plans to this year.
"I'm not really religious or anything," Davila said. "But when I saw the tree last year, I thought it would be nice to help someone else out who might not afford the stuff that lots of us take for granted."
After all the gifts are collected, they will be distributed to their corresponding shelters and
charities.
"Families will know that someone at UNM helped them," Miranda said. "This shows that as a community, we care about a lot bigger things than just school or finals - things that have an
impact."
