Tree of Hope upcoming

Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Tree of Hope will once again distribute toys to Minnesota hospitals to comfort seriously ill children during the holiday season. Tree of Hope is the only organization in Minnesota that provides toys to hospitals. The distribution date for 2013 is Saturday, December 7.

The airport at Maple Lake, Minnesota, located at 10 Maple Avenue South, will be the central collection site. Donations can be dropped off there as well as two South Metro airports: Airlake Airport at 22100 Hamburg Lane, Lakeville and Faribault Airport at 3401 Highway 21, Faribault.

Unwrapped gifts for babies and children up to 18 years old are requested. Suggested items are stuffed animals, books, activity books, puzzles, dolls, and trucks. Older children, often overlooked, would greatly appreciate receiving books, DVDs, CDs, cameras, radios, small electronics, hand-held games, jewelry, cosmetics, cards and craft kits. If unable to bring gifts directly to Maple Lake on December 7, donations must be received at Lakeville or Faribault airports before Thursday, December 5.

Founded in 1990, Tree of Hope relies on Minnesota Ninety Nines, Shriner Flyers, the general aviation community and their supporters to collect toys. Volunteers solicit donations, sort, package and deliver the collected items to area hospitals. Last year, hundreds of toys were delivered to dozens of hospitals across the state. Contact Minnesota Ninety Nines at HYPERLINK "http://www.minnesota99s.org" http://www.minnesota99s.org for more information. Pictures can be seen on facebook: TreeofHopeMN.