RCC student spearheads Angel Tree project

“Christmas is supposed to be magical,” says Rappahannock Community College student Cheryl Landrum of King and Queen County, who has been the driving force behind this year’s Warsaw Campus Angel Tree project (sponsored by the Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society for the benefit of selected Westmoreland County children). Herself a recent victim of downsizing who has several times experienced “tough economic circumstances,” Landrum says, “I knew that many children in this scary economy were not going to have a blessed holiday, and I wanted to make sure that the kids had something to smile about on Christmas morning.”

The tree, decorated with paper angels colored by RCC students, bore the names of thirteen boys between the ages of eight and twelve. The Westmoreland Social Services Department’s hope for three toys for each child was far exceeded through the generosity of the RCC family . . . the collection of footballs, basketballs, board games, action figures, toy vehicles, and many other exciting things barely fit into the trunk and back seat of Landrum’s car.

“I have never been so proud of being a member of the RCC family, and I thank you all from the bottom of my heart for your overwhelming response,” said Landrum. She added special thanks to “the people who made this year’s Angel Tree project possible by giving so wholeheartedly of their time, experience, and guidance.” These included PTK faculty advisor Dr. Karen Newtzie, past PTK co-president Rose Jones, who several years ago set up the original arrangement with Westmoreland County, and RCC’s “always helpful” library staff, who manned the collection center. “Without each and every one of you,” concluded Landrum, “this project would not have been the huge success that it was.”

Photo caption: RCC’s Warsaw Campus Angel Tree project was coordinated by student Cheryl Landrum.