Department of Public Safety and Security Services officer Lavonda Tucker-Jackson loves angels—angels in the Angel Tree Project that is.

“That’s my baby,” Tucker-Jackson said in reference to the project.

For the past three years, Tucker-Jackson has been at the forefront of organizing the project that involves DPSSS officers adopting an “angel” and buying presents for their adopted child so that those less fortunate can experience opening presents on Christmas morning.  At the end of the project, DPSSS throws a Christmas party for all of the children.

Tucker-Jackson holds the project so very close to her heart since she and her sisters were once angels and she wishes to create a similar memory for all of the children involved in the project.

“I just hope that the Angel Tree touches their heart and when they become older and have the opportunity then to give back,” Tucker-Jackson said.

Though she has been leading the project, Tucker-Jackson does not take all the credit for the success of the program.

“The other DPSSS officers are really the angels behind the project,” said Tucker-Jackson.  “We just want to do something extra, above and beyond.”

Not only does Tucker-Jackson greatly enjoy seeing the excitement in the children’s eyes, in their joy-filled laughs and in the tears shed by the caregivers of the children, she also enjoys being able to show the children a different side of the officers.

“[For] most underprivileged children, when they see us, it’s not normally in a positive action,” Tucker-Jackson said.

DPSSS will be taking care of 31 children this year from The Youth and Family Center, but the department is also hoping to help one of their own.

“We always say we can’t help those outside if we know that someone in our organization needs something,” said Tucker-Jackson.  “You can’t go outside and to give to everybody else if somebody in your house is hungry.”

For Tucker-Jackson the Angel Tree project is a large part of her life and she loves sharing her passion with others, especially on SLU’s campus.

“In my opinion, Saint Louis University is the best school in the United States, no, I’ll say it, in the world,” said Tucker-Jackson. “I know how hard DPSSS and everybody else works for students and it’s what truly makes this a great place.”

Officer Tucker-Jackson is a member of the DPSSS squad along with her husband, Shift Commander Lt. Charles Jackson.