Angel Tree 2025
Date: Campaign ran November – 15 December 2025; gift distribution on 16 and 18 December 2025
Location: Lumina, Deleni, Pietreni, Cetatea, Șipotele, and Târgușor (Constanța County)
Organized by: Dave Haas (The Salvation Army & Rotary Club), Grădinița P.P. "Amicii" Constanța, and the U.S. Army Chaplains and Civil Affairs Team Romania (Area Support Group – Black Sea), and other community sponsors
Overview:
During the 2025 Christmas season, the Angel Tree project in the Constanța region brought gifts to 272 children across six villages: Lumina, Deleni, Pietreni, Cetatea, Șipotele, and Târgușor. The initiative was made possible through an extraordinary partnership between local supporters, Grădinița P.P. "Amicii" Constanța, community sponsors, and American soldiers stationed in the Constanța area with the Area Support Group – Black Sea. From November through December, the campaign focused on gathering sponsorships and shopping for each child's gift. Distribution then took place on 16-18 December, delivering personalized Christmas presents to every participating child.
Activities:
Sponsorship & Shopping Campaign (November – 15 December 2025): For over a month, organizers worked with sponsors, community groups, and international partners to match each of the 272 children with a personal sponsor. Gifts were individually selected and purchased for each child, ensuring that every package reflected the child's age, interests, and needs. This phase brought together donors from near and far, including American, German, and French soldiers, alongside local businesses and community members.
Gift Distribution (16 and 18 December 2025): Gifts were distributed to the children at a local school and a nearby church, creating a festive and welcoming setting for the handover. Volunteers, sponsors, and soldiers joined the children for the distribution, sharing in the joy of the moment as each child received their personalized Christmas gift. The smiles on the children's faces reflected the warmth, generosity, and love that define the true spirit of Christmas.
Impact:
The Angel Tree project reached 272 children in six communities across Constanța County, offering them not only a gift, but also a tangible reminder that they are seen, valued, and cared for. For many of these children, the project represented a highlight of their Christmas season. The initiative also strengthened bonds between the local community, international partners, and the servicemen and women stationed in the region, demonstrating the power of partnership and shared purpose.
Acknowledgments:
Special thanks to Grădinița P.P. "Amicii" Constanța for their central role in coordinating the project, to Station Coffee House and local community groups for their generous support, and to the international partners and donors from near and far — including American, German, and French soldiers — whose contributions made this Christmas possible for 272 children. Thanks also to the U.S. Army Chaplains and Civil Affairs Team of Romania and Area Support Group – Black Sea for their partnership, and to every sponsor, volunteer, and organizer who stood alongside these children this Christmas season.
