By Heather McGinley

Staff Writer

Only five more angels are needed for children in Suffolk.

The Bronco Federal Credit Union branch on Godwin Boulevard has only five angels left on its angel tree, a project the credit union is sponsoring at all three of its locations.

“We want to give back to the community,” said Marie Joll, member services representative for the Suffolk branch. “There are lots of kids and families that we would like to see get what they need in Franklin and Suffolk.”

The angels on Suffolk’s tree include the requests of families with children aged 9 months to 7 years old. The families are requesting items such as boys’ clothes, girls’ shoes and a CD player.

Tanisha Artis, collections coordinator for Bronco, collected suggestions of families through Social Services and employees’ submissions of families they know are in need.

The credit union has been hosting angel trees for several years. The Suffolk location has hosted an angel tree since it opened in 2007.

“It makes us feel good,” Joll said. “We are like a big family, and we like to give back to those who are in need.”

So far, the Suffolk branch has collected 10 or 11 gifts to support angels, including food for families in need. According to Artis, paper products and food items are important items, as they can assist families at the Genieve Shelter for a longer period of time.

“Everyone comes in contact with someone in need. We try to reach out to as many as we can,” Artis said.

For Joll, the angel tree is a good way to give back to those who need it.

“A lot of the people we give to don’t have anything or wouldn’t have something for Christmas for their kids,” Joll said.

Anyone interested can pick an angel from a tree at any branch of the Bronco Federal Credit Union. Unwrapped gifts can be dropped off until Dec. 17.