The Plano Rotary Club Annual Samaritan Inn Angel Tree Celebration 2025

Plano Rotary Club brought squeals and smiles to 69 children at the Samaritan Inn (homeless shelter of Collin County) on December 24, 2005. Each year, members using the wish lists of these children, shop for toys and gifts. We have to do it by committee because some of us don't have a clue what these new toys do. This year, we delivered approximately 300 gifts, some more neatly wrapped than others to the children.

We begin the morning with donuts, cocoa and anxiously waiting for Santa and Mrs. Clause, our own Ean and Jan Sullivan. After cleaning sticky hands, Santa appears and leads the kids into a huge area that has been staged for each family. 

Once children move into the shelter, they are afraid Santa will not find them on Christmas Day. They are reassured by telling them that Santa comes to Samaritan Inn first to be sure he does not miss them. Parents say it eases their minds and allows them to dream just as other children do. 

Samaritan Inn Angel Tree has been a Plano Rotary Club  project for many years. Member, Johnny Lewis has brought his granddaughters to help for more than 10 years. Many club members bring their families every year to make it a family tradition.