By Dawn Burleigh

The Orange Leader

 

With over 350 children facing a less than memorable Christmas morning, Salvation Army opens the realm of possibilities with the Angel tree program.

Most people, especially children, look forward to receiving clothing and gifts over the holidays. The Salvation Army wants to ensure that the youth have some type of holiday joy during 2019.

Children, in particular, dream and fantasize about the wonderful things they hope to find under the tree on Christmas morning. With the always challenging economy, an increasing number of children won’t even have a Christmas tree, much less any presents or gifts to open. Many seniors also need support around the holidays, and single moms also tend to apply for help in the form of a gift from Angel Tree.

This is where the Salvation Army can help.

The 2019 Angel Tree program allows members of the community to become more involved. They can give back to their local communities. It allows people the ability to give holiday joy and gifts to children in need who would otherwise be left out on Christmas. People can donate and share with those less fortunate who live in their own city, town, and county.

Last year, International Paper adopted 85 Angel Tree Tags.

“It was the first year International Paper was involved with the program,” Captain Jan Zuniga said. “The year before we had 80 kids whose tags never left the building. I ran out of kids quickly last year on the Walmart trees or walk-ins.”

Salvation Army took requests to adopt tags from the program and hopes to see the same response this year.

Of the over 350 children registered this year, 200 are already adopted by business or churches.

“This year we will host a Meet and Greet for those already adopted,” Zuniga said.

The meet and greet is at 8 a.m. Wednesday at the Salvation Army Boys and Girls Club located at located at 1950 Martin Luther King Jr Drive in Orange.

Keep an out this weekend as you start to see them pop around the community in various business.

If you are a group or company that wants to help us get them out to the community, contact Zuniga at 409-291-8400.

Along with the Angel Tree is also the Forgotten Angel Tree.

“Sometimes, a tag is taken and only one item is purchased, or the tag never comes back,” Zuniga said. “The funds from the red kettle help offset, supplement, so those children are not forgotten.”