EPI's Giving Tree Opens to the Public November 16th

posted on Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Waterloo, IA - Exceptional Persons, Inc.’s (EPI’s) Giving Tree will be open to the public starting with an open house on Friday, November 16 from 11:30 am – 3:30 pm at EPI’s central office, 760 Ansborough Avenue in Waterloo. The Giving Tree holds tags which communicate modest needs of children and adults with disabilities which would otherwise go unmet.

“Many of the persons we serve have loving family members involved in their lives – meeting their basic needs, celebrating life’s important moments together, perhaps exchanging gifts, and so on. However, there is a small number of persons served whose loved ones, for a multitude of reasons, are not in a position to help. For these individuals, the Giving Tree has been a blessing.” said Executive Director, Chris Sparks.

New this year, in partnership with the Waterloo Police and Protective Association the Giving Tree is traveling. On Wednesday, November 28 from 11 am – Noon the Giving Tree will travel on EPI’s Trolley to Waterloo City Hall parking lot for the public to easy access the needs on the tree. Area businesses are encouraged to call EPI to schedule a date and time for the Giving Tree Trolley to stop by their business. 

EPI’s Giving Tree was established more than ten years ago by staff as way to meet modest unmet needs and bring holiday cheer to children and adults with disabilities. Now as gift requests have exceeded 200 requests for over 72 individuals the staff at EPI is seeking the community’s support.

Gift request tags can be picked up from the giving tree during regular business hours from EPI’s central office. Wrapped gifts can be returned to EPI at any time – with December 14 being the last drop off date. Gifts of cash and wrapping paper are also accepted to help EPI ensure each request is fulfilled.

EPI, founded in 1957 in Waterloo, Iowa, as Exceptional Persons, Inc. is a private, non-profit organization created as a catalyst for community based services for people with developmental and other related disabilities. Today’s EPI fosters the active community participation of people with disabilities through residential and transportation services, day activity centers, community living, as well as works to expand child care options and to improve the quality of child care available for families in Northeast Iowa. EPI serves over 5,500 children, adults, and families in Northeast Iowa a year and employs more than 400 dedicated individuals.