In 2013, when Jamie Etzkorn and her family moved to Liberty Hill, she quickly started volunteering and was excited to be part of the Operation Liberty Hill Giving Tree program she had grown up with in her small hometown. Fast forward to 2025, and she has now chaired the program for 10 years. Let’s chat with Jamie about her heart for service, her love of Liberty Hill and the Giving Tree program she is passionate about.

The Liberty Hill Giving Tree, formerly Angel Tree, is an annual program hosted by Operation Liberty Hill that provides holiday gifts for local children in need during the holiday season. Each year, various local churches, organizations, businesses, and families provide opportunities for qualifying Liberty Hill ISD (LHISD) families to receive goods and/or services during the Christmas season. This is for any LHISD-zoned child, up to 18 years old, in a low-income household.

Even after chairing the event for 10 years, Jamie still gets emotional talking about the families she gets to serve. She recalls one family where “The mom asked for a trampoline three years in a row, and that third year, somebody bought the trampoline! The mom was not expecting it. She came in her small car and when she saw it, she just broke down. She was so grateful, just beyond blessed by that gift.” Susan Baker from Operation Liberty Hill added, “It takes so much stress off of the families that might have to choose between paying their electric bill or paying for prescriptions in order to provide for their kids.”

Last year, the Giving Tree provided for 569 kids and based on applications so far this year, believe they will provide for even more families. Families in need can pick up an application through their school counselor or by emailing libertyhillgivingtree@gmail.com. The deadline is this Thursday, Nov. 20.

As the holidays near, Jamie and her committee recognize how great the need is. One mom in particular that Jamie spoke with recently didn’t want anyone to know she was struggling. She felt like she had failed her kids with no ability to put gifts under the tree. She filled out the application and asked us to please not share her name with anyone. After being assured it was confidential, a weight was lifted off her and she knew that it was going to be okay. If you’d like to help sponsor a family and provide a gift during the holidays, community members can pick up an ornament from the Giving Tree at the Liberty Hill Public Library beginning Nov. 19  or at The Grove Church on Sundays. Each ornament will have an identifier on it for the child. Families are asked to spend $75 in toys or wish list items and a $50 gift card for clothing. Families can also help by volunteering to help set-up for distribution day on Dec. 12th and 13th. You can email libertyhillgivingtree@gmail.com to volunteer.

Jamie’s role in the community extends beyond the Giving Tree program. She was recently chosen to serve on the Liberty Hill ISD School Board  in the position vacated by Kathy Major. Her service to Liberty Hill has also included being part of the City of Liberty Hill Economic Development Committee, as a local Girl Scout troop leader, on the LHISD Finance and Long Range Planning Committee, with Education Connection in-school reading program, on campus and district improvement committees, and on various campus-level Parent Teacher Organizations and booster clubs. 

Thank you Jamie for your service to our community and for leading us for another year with the Giving Tree. Please remember to turn in your applications by this Thursday or visit the Liberty Hill Public Library or The Grove Church to sponsor a child.