JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – Carson-Newman's athletic department worked with the Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce and the Angel Tree program to provide gifts to 48 local children this Christmas Season. 

The program is a part of the chamber's Christmas in Jefferson County community program. 

All 19 of Carson-Newman's varsity sports participated in the winter service project coordinated by Carson-Newman's Student Athlete Advisory Council. 

Each Angel Tree represents a child in need in the area and two types of toys that that child would like. 

The Eagles purchased gifts for 48 children.  Each team bought for at least one child with one team buying for eight children.

The C-N women's basketball team helped load the car to take the gifts back to the drop off point. The gifts for all the children filled three shopping carts.

Christmas in Jefferson County evolved from an earlier community program founded in 1996 called "Sharing Christmas". County volunteers handled the food division while partnering with Toys for Tots to help bring Christmas joy to underprivileged children.

In 2001, The Chamber assumed full responsibility for the program and changed its name to Christmas in Jefferson County.

Christmas in Jefferson County is sponsored by the Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce and brings together many community resources to help provide food and toys to disadvantaged families in Jefferson County. The Chamber of Commerce and the school system's Family Resource Center, under the leadership of Karen Blomdahl, coordinate all the activities and rely on contributions by businesses, neighborhoods, churches, civic clubs and every school in Jefferson County.

On the Angel tree cards, buyers will find a child's name, his or her wish list, and the information about how to buy for, and drop off purchases made for the child. Walmart and the Fire Departments throughout the county are collection points for these unwrapped gifts, and volunteers will follow up with packaging once all the toys are collected.