‘Apple tree’ for teachers returns for second year

It's apple pickin' time at Pegram's United Community Bank.

And the “apple tree” is right at the bank's front door, a bit skinny and forlorn looking but still bearing fruit. Like the “angel trees” of Christmas that link generous gift givers to needy recipients, this tree enables donors to support teachers at the Pegram and Kingston Springs elementary schools by picking a paper “apple” and buying the items listed on it.

Now in its second year, “Adopt an Apple for Teachers” was a major success in 2024, according to bank spokeswoman Tiffany Cundall.

“We asked the teachers to give us a wish list for supplies that their regular funding doesn't always cover,” Cundall said of the first annual event. “Then we broke the compiled list into smaller [numbers of items] we thought people could afford to help out with – something like giving the teacher an apple.”

The bank will collect the gift supplies from donors and take them at the start of the next school year to the teachers who requested them. “Planted” in early June, the tree will be in place through July.

Tax free weekend will take place this year July 25 through 27, the ideal time to help teachers stock their classrooms.