What is Angel Tree?

Angel Tree is a family assistance program aimed at providing gifts to children during the holiday season. The program offers new clothing and toys to children aged between 0-18 years old. Children’s wish list including clothing sizes, toy preference, and special requests like a favorite color are transferred to paper ‘angel’ tags which are hung on holiday trees to be adopted by donors. Each angel tag includes a child’s name, age, and gender. These details are used to provide additional information to donors when selecting gifts.

This program for designed is for students, faculty, staff, alumni, friends, family, and the community to participate in.  The MSUB Center for Engagement partners with Billings Salvation Army as well as TRIO/Student Support Services, which provides services to enrolled students who are low-income as identified per federal guidelines. Therefore, this program supports local families in Billings and in surrounding areas within Yellowstone County.

How can TRIO/Student Support Services members apply?

If you are an active TRIO/Student Support Services member, you may fill out an application for your kid(s) or complete an application to recommend another active TRIO/SSS member's kid(s).  Applications are available in the Center for Engagement and TRIO/SSS offices at both University and City College campuses, or download the application and return it in person. Applications are due by November 17, 2021.

Which family groups will Angel Tree be supporting?

Charitable donors have the option to adopt an angel from two groups: MSUB students and/or Billings community members. Choose a round tag to select a MSUB student from TRIO/Student Support Services. Choose a rectangle tag to select a Billings community member from Billings Salvation Army.

How does it work?

Holiday trees are placed around University Campus and City College in high traffic areas. During the 2021 Season, the holiday trees will be located in the Student Union Building Petro Theater lobby at University campus, and in the Tech Building Commons lobby at City College campus.

Each holiday tree will have a number of hanging angel tags. To participate:

  1. Select an angel tag
  2. Purchase gift(s) based on the information contain on the tag
  3. Return gift(s) (plus tag) to one of the listed drop off points.

Be sure to return your gift unwrapped – this is to ensure parents are receiving an appropriate gift for their child to open.

It’s that simple!

Where are the drop off points?

There are two drop off locations at the Center for Engagement:

University Student Union Building, room 219 (2nd Floor)

City College Tech Building, room B011 (2nd Floor)

How long does the program run for?

Angel Tree will be running from Monday Nov 29th through Wednesday Dec 8th, 2021. Please ensure that you are able to drop off your unwrapped gift (plus tag) by Dec 8th by 5pm. Gifts will be accepted beyond this date, but we cannot guarantee your gift will go directly to the child indicated on the tag. However, we will make every effort to ensure that your gift is delivered to an at-risk or in-need local family.

How can I make contact?

For general information, contact Holly Jones on (406) 896-5817 or holly.jones5@msubillings.edu 

For TRIO/Student Support Services information, contact Katlyn Gillen on (406) 247-3028 on katlyn.gillen@msubillings.edu