The holiday season in Okeechobee was brighter than ever, thanks to the incredible generosity of our community! We are thrilled to share that the 2025 Giving Tree served 480 children, our biggest year yet, reaching 105 more kids than last year.

Gifts went to children in our home visiting programs, including Healthy Start, Healthy Families, and Parents as Teachers. We also supported homeless children through the Okeechobee School Board, residents of Real Life Children’s Ranch, families from Head Start, and other children in need throughout the community.

This amazing effort would not have been possible without the 115 donors who adopted children and donated gifts. Your support brought joy to so many little ones and their families.

We also want to recognize some special community partners who went above and beyond this year. These include Chad Stokes from The Studio Collective, Tia from Aesthetics by Tia, David Walden from Let’s Pray About It Ministry Okeechobee, the Children’s Services Council of Okeechobee, Melissa Kindell from Everglades Pediatric Dentistry, our local Walmart, Angie from Staffords Salon, HCA Florida Raulerson Hospital and volunteers, and Christina Freed and her mom. Your contributions made a huge difference.

Thanks to all of you, hundreds of children in Okeechobee experienced the magic and joy of the holiday season. Every gift, every donation, and every act of kindness helped make this Giving Tree our most successful yet.

From all of us, thank you for helping us bring smiles, laughter, and hope to so many families this year!