Giving Tree 2024 information

Each year, USI's Staff Council hosts the Giving Tree, an opportunity for the USI community to help each other during the holiday season. 

This year, the application deadline is November 1 for those wishing to receive assistance from the program. Please visit the Giving Tree webpage or scan the QR code below to complete the application form. 

The Giving Tree program is open to all current USI employees and/or presently enrolled USI students and their live-in families. All applications are verified for eligibility by one Staff representative and one USI HR representative. 

Those not eligible for the Giving Tree are: 

• USI retirees
• Those who have participated in the last three consecutive years (for special consideration, please email Staff.Council@usi.edu for review of your application). 
• Family members who do not reside within the residence of current USI employees or students. 

Guidelines: 

• Each requested item is limited to a cost of $35 in order to provide assistance to as many applicants as possible during the holiday season. 
• Children ages 13 and under may receive a maximum of three choices of clothing and a maximum of two toys (no electronics or video games). 
• Children ages 14 to 18 may receive a maximum of two choices of clothing and a maximum of one write-in item choice (no electronics or video games). 
• Each family will receive one $35 gift card.

Ornaments for gift-buying will be available on November 6. Giving Trees will be in place at the Deans' offices of the College of Liberal Arts, Kinney College of Nursing and Health Professions, Pott College of Science, Engineering and Education and Romain College of Business; University Division; Orr Center and Rice Library. 

Trees will be decorated with gift request ornaments, including special requests for international students staying on campus over break. 

Staff Council invites employees to take an ornament or make a charitable gift to the Giving Tree program to help brighten the winter holiday season for a USI family. After taking an ornament, purchase the requested item and wrap or bag it. Attach the ornament securely to the wrapped gift and return it to the office it was taken from by December 2.