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TAHLEQUAH, OK - For more than a decade, the Cherokee Nation has been easing the burden of holiday spending for low income Native American families and helping them celebrate Christmas by allowing community members to anonymously provide them toys and gifts. Applications to have children’s names placed on the tree will be accepted at many locations throughout the Cherokee Nation in November. The mission of the tribe’s Angel Tree is to provide gifts for low income Native American children who reside within the 14-county jurisdictional area of the Cherokee Nation. Community members will be invited to visit the Angel Tree and pick a child or children to buy gifts for in time for Christmas. The Angel Tree staff will wrap and deliver the gifts to the families. Application information is listed below. Wednesday, November 5, and Thursday, November 6, from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Catoosa Indian Child Welfare Office 650 S. Cherokee, Suite O Catoosa, OK Jay Indian Child Welfare Office 1433 North Main Jay, OK Sallisaw Indian Child Welfare Office 415 Carson Road Sallisaw, OK Stilwell Indian Child Welfare Office 401 South 2nd Stilwell, OK Wednesday, November 5, from 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. Nowata Clinic 202 East Galer Nowata, OK Thursday, November 6, from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.: Salina Clinic 900 North Owen Walters Blvd. Salina, OK Monday through Friday, November 3 through 7; Monday, November 10, and Wednesday through Friday, November 12 through 14 from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Kid’s Connection Inc. 816 South College Ave. Tahlequah, OK Applicants must bring proof of income for all household members over the age of 18, a Certified Degree of Indian Blood card for each child, proof of address, must live in the jurisdictional area of the Cherokee Nation, and provide clothing sizes for each child and one or two gift ideas. All applicants must meet income guidelines. For more information about the Angel Tree call, phone: 918-453-5000 (ext.7720) or phone: 918-458-6900.

Related Cherokee Nation contact information:

Mike Miller, Cherokee Nation Director of Communications Phone: 918-456-0671 (ext.2210) Fax: 918-458-5580 E-mail: Communications@cherokee.org Larry Daugherty, Advertising Manager Cherokee Nation - Public Affairs Phone 918-456-0671 (Ex.2324) E-mail: ldaugherty@cherokee.org

Steven Swogger, Agriculture Liaison Natural Resources Department Phone: 918-456-0671 (ext.2546) FAX: 918-458-7673 E-mail: sswogger@cherokee.org Bradley D. Peak, Cherokee Nation Natural Resources Specialist Phone: 918-456-0671 (ex.2843) E-mail: bpeak@cherokee.org