Calling All Angels: Salvation Army seeks donors, volunteers for 'Christmas miracles'
The Salvation Army of Amarillo is seeking community help in providing every child with a Christmas present this holiday season with its 2022 Angel Tree Program.
The Angel Tree Program, along with The Salvation Army’s iconic Red Kettle Campaign, is one of The Salvation Army’s best-known Christmas efforts. More than 100,000 children from birth to the age of twelve across Texas, enough to fill the Dallas Cowboys stadium, will experience the joy of opening presents on Christmas morning thanks to generous donors and the help of The Salvation Army.
Major Tex Ellis of The Salvation Army of Amarillo said in a news release: “The Angel Tree program provides toys and clothing to children and families who might be struggling to afford Christmas gifts this year, thanks to the generosity of donors in the community ... Angels are available for adoption by community members and businesses, who in no small way help deliver the magic and message of Christmas to those in need.”
The Salvation Army Angel Trees are located at the Westgate Mall, Walmart and other businesses during the holidays. The trees are decorated with paper angels, each representing a child or senior who, without this program, may not receive a gift at Christmas.
According to the Salvation Army, in addition to an individual sponsoring an Angel there are also opportunities for a business, civic group or church to host an Angel Tree at your location, as well as sponsor several angels themselves.
Angels will be available for adoption throughout the months of November and December at Westgate Mall. Last year, 300 angels were available for adoption in Amarillo, and this year just under 800 children are enrolled in the program. According to the Salvation Army, for approximately $75 and one hour of your time a donor can provide a Christmas miracle for a child this holiday season.
"This is a program that helps to bring hope back into children’s lives. Most of the children we help have to experience serious issues in their households and have very few experiences that allow them to just be kids. This program allows them to do that," said Major Andrea Ellis of the Salvation Army of Amarillo
"With each adoption you have the opportunity affect a child’s life directly. We may never see the impact it may have on that child’s life, but it doesn’t change that difference you can make. ... You never know the outcome you can have on a child’s life by simply giving them a toy at Christmas, but for that child it might foster an interest they have in something, give them a friend to play with, help them educationally, or just give them the opportunity to love something else in their life," Major Andrea Ellis added.
Angel Tree gifts are being collected now through Dec. 16 where gift distribution will take place at the Rex Baxter Building at the Amarillo Tri-State Exposition. Volunteers are needed to help sort and pass out the items to families who will come to collect them on distribution day.
For those who would like to contribute from the comfort of their own home, donors can purchase Angel Tree gifts through Walmart for the The Salvation Army Angel Tree by utilizing the "Registry for Good". Walmart will then deliver these items directly to The Salvation Army.
To make a donation through Walmart search for The Salvation Army Amarillo at www.walmartangeltree.com
For those interested in supporting the Angel Tree, or any other Salvation Army Christmas programs, please call The Salvation Army at 806-373-6631. To make a donation, or for more ways to engage with The Salvation Army, visit www.salvationarmyamarillo.org.
This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: Amarillo Salvation Army seeks donors, volunteers 'Christmas miracles'
