Central Carolina Community College (CCCC)

For Student Applicants (Angels)

What if I need to update my child’s clothing size, gift ideas, interests, etc.?

Please email the program coordinator, Katy Jones, Student Activities Coordinator, at kdjones@cccc.edu no later than the application deadline (November 4th, 2022) with any updates to your application.

How much information about my child should I include in the application?

Please provide as much detail and information as possible in your application. If approved for the program, the information provided on your application will be uploaded to the adoption website. Potential adopters will use this information to purchase clothes, shoes, and gifts for your child, therefore, the more information you can provide, the better. Remember that all identifying information about you and your child will be removed before your child’s information is uploaded to the adoption site.

What if I can’t pick up the gifts during the gift pick-up period?

We provide the gift pick-up dates at the beginning of the program in hope that all program participants can make arrangements to pick up their gifts on the gift pick-up dates. However, we also recognize that situations arise that are beyond our control. If you are unable to pick up your gifts during gift pick-up days, please email the program coordinator, Katy Jones, Student Activities Coordinator, at kdjones@cccc.edu. Please note, any gifts left after the pick-up date without any communication from the student applicant will be donated to future Angel Tree programs.

Can I still submit an application for my child even though the application has closed for this year?

Due to the tight timeline of the Angel Tree program and the immense amount of administrative work the program requires, no late applications can be accepted.

How do I know if I have a financial need in order to apply for the program?

Financial need is determined by the Federal Application for Student Aid (FAFSA) and is reported by the Office of Financial Aid. For any questions regarding your financial aid status, please email finaid@cccc.edu.

Why are the gifts I received not wrapped?

Angel Tree gifts are unwrapped so that parents are aware of what has been bought for their child(ren). We hope this helps parents in their decisions about holiday gifting for their family.

Can I ask for a gift card?

Part of the joy of the Angel Tree program is providing clothes, shoes, gifts, and more for children in need. While gift cards may be useful, there is no way to confirm they are used to benefit the children they are gifted to and therefore, adopters are highly discouraged from gifting them. Angel Tree student applications that only request a gift card will not be approved.

Why do I have to indicate which Main Campus I am closest to on the application?

Gift pick-up will occur on each Main Campus (Chatham, Harnett, and Lee). You will be assigned the closest main campus to you for gift pick up. We are not allowed to deliver presents to individual homes.

How can I say thank you to the people who purchased gifts for my children?

Angel Tree student participants can submit a note of thanks using the CCCC Fall 2022 Angel Tree Thank You Form.

How do I provide feedback about the Angel Tree program?

At the end of the Angel Tree season, all participants, adopters, and administrative staff will receive a feedback form from the program administrator via email. Positive and constructive feedback is used to make changes as needed to the program, so everyone who receives the survey is encouraged to complete it.

Why is there an option to indicate whether or not I want a food donation?

The holidays are a difficult time for many for a variety of reasons. CCCC recognizes that students who apply for the Angel Tree program may also benefit from a donation from the Cougar Market during this time, especially with the college being closed for two weeks at the end of December. Participants are not required to receive a food donation and choosing not to receive one does not impact a student’s ability to participate in the Angel Tree program.

For Adopters and General Program Questions

How much money should I spend on my Angel?

While there is no official budget for the Holiday Spirit, this is a frequent question for those looking to adopt. We recommend spending $40-$100 on an Angel, though the adopter may choose to spend more or less. For those looking to be more generous with their donations, we suggest considering donating to the overall Angel Tree program fund via the CCCC Foundation.

Do I have to purchase everything on my Angel’s list?

You are not required to purchase everything that is listed for your Angel. Students are encouraged to provide as much information about their child(ren) as possible so that donors can understand the child’s wants and needs.

What if I just want to donate money instead of adopting an Angel?

Cash and check donations can be made out to the CCCC Foundation Office with a note that the donation is for the Angel Tree Program Fund. Those wishing to use a credit card or make a donation online may donate via the CCCC Foundation PayPal. In the "Special Instructions or Memory/Honor of" you must put “Angel Tree Program” for the donation to be routed to the right account.

What do the different letters and numbers mean when selecting an Angel?

To maintain the anonymity of Angel Tree participants, names, ID numbers, and emails are not used for Angel Adoption. Instead, a letter and number system is used to denote the CCCC main campus closest to the student as well as the number of children in their family. There are very few people who have access to the information linking the letter and numbering system to student information as a means of protecting anonymity. While we understand that you may be curious, information about students will not be given to adopters under any circumstances.

What if I lose the information about my Angel?

Please contact the program coordinator, Katy Jones, Student Activities Coordinator, at kdjones@cccc.edu to request a copy of Angel’s information.

How do I know if my Angel is part of a sibling group?

Angel Families are assigned a letter and two numbers to denote the closest main campus, their family group number, and the number of children in the family. For example, Angels N.1.1 and N.1.2 is a North Pole (N) family (1) with two children (1&2). Angel N.4.1 (with no following numbers) is the (1) only child in the North Pole (N) family (4). If you have any questions about the numbering system or if your Angel is part of a sibling group, please contact the program administrator.

If my Angel has siblings, do I have to adopt the entire family?

No, you do not have to adopt an entire Angel family if there is more than one child. You may choose to adopt as many angels as you would like, regardless of their campus or family.

Can I just buy a gift card for my Angel?

Part of the joy of the Angel Tree program is providing clothes, shoes, gifts, and more for children in need. While gift cards may be useful, there is no way to confirm they are used to benefit the children they are gifted to and therefore, adopters are highly discouraged from gifting them. If you are looking for a way to donate money to the Angel Tree program, please see the FAQ above for those wishing to donate money via the CCCC Foundation Office.

I want to wrap the presents for my Angel. Can I do that?

While we appreciate the Christmas spirit, Angel Tree gifts are required to be unwrapped. This allows parents to view what has been purchased for their child(ren) so that they can plan accordingly for their family during the holidays. All wrapped gifts will be unwrapped before the gift pick-up period. Each angel family will receive wrapping paper, tape, and bows to assist in wrapping their presents at home. If you would like to donate wrapping paper, bows, and/or tape, please contact the program administrator.

I can’t make the gift drop-off dates. What can I do?

Gift drop-off dates are scheduled so that gifts can be inventoried, sorted, and arranged prior to gift pick-up. Late gifts cause a significant strain on the program and can cause a family to not receive their gifts from the Angel Tree program. If you cannot make the scheduled gift drop-off dates, please contact the program coordinator, Katy Jones, Student Activities Coordinator, at kdjones@cccc.edu to arrange the early drop-off of gifts.

How should I label my Angel Tree gifts?

To make sure that all gifts are sorted correctly and delivered to the right family, it is critical that adopters labeled their gifts correctly. Each gift (each item) should be labeled with the letter and two numbers of their Angel (example: N.1.1), Please make sure that every item is labeled appropriately and that taped on labels are secure. To expedite the drop-off process, please have gifts labeled before dropping them off.

I cannot adopt an Angel, but I want to help with the program. What options are available to me?

Besides donating to the overall Angel Tree program via the CCCC Foundation, those wishing to help out with the program can do so in two ways. The first is to collect and donate gift-wrapping supplies such as wrapping paper, tape, and bows. Secondly, you can opt to volunteer with the Angel Tree program by signing up to assist with gift drop-off, gift pick-up, and/or gift-organizing days. The Angel Tree program requires a lot of administrative and physical work to make sure gifts are at the correct campus and arranged correctly for pick-up. An email to all faculty, staff, and students will be sent out in late November with all volunteer opportunities for the program.