It’s that time of the year again. The time to stop thinking of yourself and to be selfless by giving.

Sacramento State is making it easy to do just that. The Giving Tree, located by the stairway in the University Union, is not just a decoration to spread holiday cheer, but a giant wish list of children in families affected by HIV/AIDS.

The tree is decorated with paper ornaments listing a child’s name, age, and a gift that he or she hopes to receive this holiday season. Students are encouraged to choose any ornament from the tree, purchase the gift written on the ornament, and bring it back unwrapped with the ornament attached to the Union’s Administration Office on the third floor.

Sac State has hosted the tree since 2001 and was able to present 480 children with gifts last year. This year the university is stepping up its goal and is hoping to collect 600 gifts.

“Our goal is to give every child in our community affected by HIV/AIDS a gift for Christmas,” Jennifer Novak of Sunburst Projects said.

The gifts the children choose are mainly inexpensive toys, but those with a little extra cash to spare can choose to treat the kids with the higher-priced items.

“The greatest part is fulfilling a child’s Christmas wish – like a bicycle, an iPod, or a portable DVD player,” Novak said. “When a child is really sick and gets a portable DVD player? that is something that entertains them while they are in bed.”

Devon Saul, coordinator for Sac State’s Giving Tree and liaison between Sunburst Projects, oversees the decorating of the tree and snowflakes, solicits volunteers, and makes reservations and catering plans for the wrapping party held on campus.

“I often hear that those who buy the gifts speak about how good it feels to ‘just give’ blindly,” Giving Tree Coordinator Devon Saul said.

Every year after all of the gifts are collected and wrapped, Sunburst steps in and throws a party for the children where each recipient has his or her name called out by Santa to sit on his lap and receive his or her gift.

Sunburst Projects serves families in Northern California and aims to improve the lives of mostly low-income families struggling with HIV/AIDS. The organization deals with the social, emotional and psychological needs of children and their families.

Liberal studies junior Gabriel Sandoval participated in the toy drive last year. He said he bought an educational toy.

Sandoval said he would encourage students to participate in this year’s toy drive.

“If you don’t get the chance to give back a lot it’s a really easy way to do it,” he said.

The snowflake requests are not just for children, many of the requests are for 18-year-olds, the requests range from gas cards to clock radios.

“We cannot thank Sac State enough for all that they do and have done each holiday season to brighten the lives of so many needy children,” Novak said.

A gift-wrapping party will be held in the Union Ballroom from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday. The party will be filmed as part of a documentary and any volunteers are welcome. Unwrapped gifts will be collected in the Union Administration Office until Friday.

“Many passersby are touched by the amount of generosity shown on this campus, by students and staff alike. The massive pile of presents? is a testament to the kind-heartedness and charity people at Sac State have,” Saul said.

Casey Kirk can be reached at [email protected]