BOUNTIFUL—When the children at Apple Developmental Daycare in Bountiful saw the success of several Angel Tree-type projects in the community, they told teachers they wanted to have one of their own. So before Christmas in 2020, the daycare created the Blessing Tree.

“We had a tree just outside our front door and that first year we strung a rope through the branches and began collecting donations to hang on it,” said Becky Washburn, director at Apple Developmental Daycare where she’s worked for 32 years. “We started in November and kept it up through March of last year.”

Then, as now, the daycare received and subsequently gave away hundreds of donations from the community – from both parents and children at the school and the community at large. The tree was taken down last summer as the facility expanded, but the Blessing Tree is back, anchored as part of a metal fence. And it’s been busier than ever.

“So far this year, we’ve hung over 800 items on the tree,” Washburn said. “We’ve received so many donations, and the kids love to see them each day as they come in. New or used, we take care of anything that needs to prepare donations for the tree – we launder them and repair them if necessary. The girls love to reglue heels on shoes or put glitter on them. They are all very excited to do that.”

Washburn said items include clothing and footwear. Someone donated a PS2 Playstation this year. They’ve received two drum sets, lots of shoes and boots, and one donation this year was of 25 adult scarf sets. They have also received hats and gloves for kids, stuffed animals and puzzles. The students “love to go out and bring new things inside each morning,” she said. “All electronic items we check, naturally, and we make sure everything is clean and in good condition before we put it out.”

The items are each put in plastic bags, so there is something on the Blessing Tree all the time. She said people have been very respectful of the tree and the items on it, and she praised the community for its support.

“Everyone in the community is so generous. People have been very kind to us, and everyone wants to know how long we’ll keep this going,” she said. The answer – yet to be determined, but with about 100 items generally on display at all times, and a regular cycle of items being donated and then taken by families, there may not be an ending date for some time. Or ever.

“Our kids have made notes that they hold up in the windows when someone comes with a donation,” Washburn said. “They say ‘Thank you’ or express other thoughts of gratitude. And the kids feel like they are helping out others in need. It really is a Blessing Tree for everyone.”

She said what seems to be most popular are socks, hats, gloves and scarfs. Stuffed animals are always loved by everyone as well.

The public is welcomed to donate at Apple Developmental Daycare, located at 455 West Center Street in Bountiful. The facility is both a preschool and a sub-development center for ages 2-12. The center has a Facebook page as well.