Families in need get a merrier Christmas

Lauralie Seedall makes her way up the sidewalk at Ucon Elementary School to unload presents. It is a view she has seen before.

“I was in charge of our ward Christmas party, 19 years ago,” Seedall said. “Just decided we needed to give back.”

With the help of family, friends, neighbors and her church, Seedall is able to provide gifts for families in Bonneville School District 93 that need it this Christmas.

Originally, Seedall started the Angel Tree at Hillview Elementary. Four years ago she started working with Ucon Elementary.

“I love to do this every year because it breaks my heart to think that any child would wake up and not be able to have a Christmas present under the tree,” Seedall said.

She said she also realizes she and those around her are able to afford to do this each year.

“We do live in a blessed area and I love this time of year that we can share our blessings,” Seedall said.

This year, the Angel Tree is able to help brings presents to 12 families. With the help from the school, they identified those who need the generosity.

“It’s really great to be able to provide your family with gifts and with Christmas cheer basically,” said Keisha Richardson, the school counselor for Ucon Elementary. “Being able to participate in the holiday and making it a great and special day for them.”

Seedall and the school figure out the names of the family in need the first weekend of December.

Then the shopping begins.

Those participating get two weeks to purchase everything before they bring it to Seedall’s house the week before the delivery.

“It’s a pretty easy task when you (ask) how do you do it,” Seedall said. “But I mean three weeks out of someone’s life to make Christmas for someone else, that’s pretty minimal from my standpoint.”

Seedall started the donation’s when she had children enrolled in Bonneville School District 93. Last year, her youngest graduated from high school and is off to college. But it is not stopping her from continuing the generosity.

“I still know there are needs out there,” said Seedall. “It’s our thing we do.”

Families that are receiving the gifts also will get a box of non-perishable food that Ucon Elementary students raised. Families in need will go pick up their donations on Friday.