About Us
The Holiday Sharing Tree was founded in 1985 and is a non-profit, seasonal gift-giving project.
Blue Earth County Human Services and Nicollet County Social Services serve as clearing houses and determine the recipients. The Holiday Sharing Tree project is then given those names and Giving Cards are filled out with a request for a gift card valued at approximately $20. The Giving Cards are then distributed to designated Giving Card pick up locations and area businesses who sponsor Giving Cards. Shoppers pick up cards and return a gift card by Saturday, December 14th at 5:00 p.m. Gift cards are then distributed to families and individuals on a one day drive-thru distribution, Tuesday, December 19th from the Mankato Armory and Nicollet County Health and Human Services in St. Peter.
The project kicks off mid-November and gifts are distributed prior to Christmas.
In 1985,182 families were provided gifts. The number has escalated rapidly since then and currently approximately 900 families or 3,300 individuals are being helped. Since 1985 the Holiday Sharing Tree has provided over 83,000 gifts to individuals. For most, these are the only gifts they receive during the holiday season.
The Holiday Sharing Tree is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. The project is funded by individual and corporate/organizational donations. Special fundraising/grant opportunities arise occasionally, but our primary source of funding is through public donations.
Many area businesses, volunteers, donors, and service organizations dedicate their efforts and resources for the project. A board of volunteer business professionals, along with a project manager coordinate the project.
Holiday Sharing Tree Board of Directors
Jo Guck Bailey – Sign Pro
Kim Bruender – Gene’s Repair of Eagle Lake
Elli Fisher – Retired, Center Point Energy
Jason Fisher - Mankato Clinic
Katie Heintz- North Mankato Library
Christopher Kind – Bethany Lutheran College
Jamison Peterson - Bremer Bank
Erin Aanenson - South Central College Foundation
Danica Walser - Compeer Financial
Denise Zernechel - Northern Comfort
Joy Kelley - Ploog Electric
Liz Thiesse - Holiday Sharing Tree Project Manager