Dec 23, 2006 By Jennifer Harr 3 min read

Jo Anne Taylor of Uniontown tears up when talking about her 4-year-old grandson, James. “He’s my life. I’m his mom, nana, papa, his best friend and his buddy,” she said, smiling.

Taylor wanted him to have a beautiful tree under which to find his presents Christmas morning, and she got her wish Friday when Target, through the United Way, donated to her a fully decorated tree.

“It’s beautiful,” she said of the tree, decorated with red poinsettias and large bulbs.

Taylor’s family was one of three who received already-decorated Christmas trees from the South Union Township retailer. The trees came with additional decorations and an angel topper.

The other two trees, one of which went to a Uniontown couple, also were beautifully decorated. The couple took a tree with colorful green and purple butterflies and other assorted bulbs. A white tree, decorated with white and black bulbs, was going to find its home later in the day.

Richard Lavrich, acting director of the South Fayette chapter of the United Way said that Fayette County Community Action (FCCA) took referrals for the tree donations. FCCA Family Development Consultant Beth Skidmore said the third tree came as a surprise and indicated officials would quickly find another family to receive an early Christmas present.

Taylor said she does have a tree, but said it’s old and badly in need of replacing. When she put it up – before she knew she was going to get a new tree – she said James wondered at its beauty.

James also has three younger siblings – twin sisters and a newborn brother – but the special place that James has secured in his “nana’s” heart is evident when she talks about him. She enjoys being there for him, and while he might occasionally get ornery, she said that every child does.

“He’s my pride and joy. He helps me keep going on. He’s a blessing – they all are,” she said of her grandchildren.

Taylor said she let her grandchildren open a couple of their Christmas gifts on Thursday night and marveled at their eagerness for the holiday.

While the gift of the tree has certainly brightened her Christmas season, Taylor said this will be a tough holiday because she is dealing with the loss of her father, who died in June. She said James recently offered prayers to his great-grandfather, asking him to keep his baby brother safe.

And while she received, Taylor offered thanks. She said she was appreciative to the woman who recommended her for the tree, for her boss at Pappy’s Restaurant in Hopwood and for the troops overseas.

Target human resources employee Lindsay Bartoe said that the retailer has been giving Christmas trees away for 16 years, noting that this year, 4,500 trees will be giving out company wide.

Bartoe said Target will give away about $2 million in trees, decorations and toppers this year.

Annually, Target donates about $12 million to United Way, Bartoe said.