From left, Giving Tree Program volunteers Polly Lightner and Carol Milloy help a Soldier select from tags on the Giving Tree at the Fort Huachuca Main Exchange Nov. 26. Although the tree is down and volunteers are preparing gifts for distribution to ...

Members of Fort Huachuca and the local community were invited to give gifts for military Families in need this holiday season through the Holiday Giving Tree Program.

Each year since 1988, the Chaplain's Office Outreach Ministries Program personnel, organize the event by collecting gift donations and distributing them to Service member Families, so they too can celebrate the holidays.

This year the tree was located at the Fort Huachuca Main Exchange from Nov. 1 -- 30, and donors could pick off an "ornament" of their choice. Each ornament listed a specific gift for donors to purchase and bring back. Ornaments for the children of each Family listed their gender and age, as well as the gift they asked for. Three tags on the tree included toys, clothes and shoes for the children.

"The most requested gift this year was anything from the movie 'Frozen,'" said Outreach Director Jo Moore. "Anything from 'Frozen' clothes, dolls and Elsa, a movie character."

A total of 152 Families will be assisted this year and approximately 400 gifts are needed this year. According to Moore, it takes about 10 volunteers to do the additional shopping and four to five for wrapping all of the gifts.

"I've been volunteering for the giving tree since 1994," said Carol Milloy, who champions the program. "Back then the children would be lucky to just get a toy, and now they get a toy, some clothes and a pair of shoes. Outreach Ministries has really perfected the organization over all these years."

Now that the tree has been removed, the volunteers will be shopping for gifts to fill any gaps and preparing the gifts during the upcoming week. Senior enlisted Soldiers will then pick them up for their entire unit before the distribution to Families Dec. 16 -- 18.

"Traditions might change, but the need will always be there," said Milloy. "It's a great way to give back to the community, especially the military community and the children of Fort Huachuca."

Outreach Ministries currently has enough volunteers to prepare gifts for distribution, however gift donations are still being welcomed, especially gift cards for teenagers, and can be dropped off at the Main Post Chapel.