Salvation Army accepting Pinellas applications for Angel Tree gift program
The Salvation Army is seeking to help children and seniors who may otherwise go without much cheer this holiday season.
The Angel Tree program provides gifts to families in need for children up to 12 years old through the Salvation Army of Clearwater & Upper Pinellas County as well as the Greater St. Petersburg branch. The Clearwater and upper Pinellas branch also serves people 65 and older with a Silver Bell initiative.
The Angel Tree program is also ongoing elsewhere in Tampa Bay and nationwide, but age restrictions and deadlines vary by location.
Families can nominate themselves or others they know who are in need by going to saangeltree.org and entering the recipients’ zip code.
The deadline to apply is Oct. 15 for Clearwater and upper Pinellas and Oct. 14 for Pinellas County south of Ulmerton Road.
Last year, the Salvation Army of Clearwater & Upper Pinellas County provided 1,400 children with gifts, including 300 bicycles. But Teresa Hibbard, director of development, said families also request basic necessities for their children during the holidays.
“It’s really the simple things that we probably take for granted like socks, underwear, pajamas,” Hibbard said.
The Salvation Army shares the wish lists with community partners and businesses, who help provide at least three gifts per child, Hibbard said. The need has grown, she said, as families continue to struggle with the effect of the pandemic, rising rents and housing insecurity.
“We don’t want people to have to choose between gas, groceries and gifts,” Hibbard said. “Let’s let them have presents.”
Last year, the Salvation Army served about 600 children in the south Pinellas County Angel Tree program, and Hibbard said she expects the same amount this year.
