Salvation Army helps make Christmas magical for Lee Co. kids
Dec. 10—A sea of boxes filled the floor of the gymnasium in The Family life Center at First Presbyterian Church, Sanford, as volunteers seamlessly worked harmoniously as cars pulled through the breezeway to drop off, and pick up toys for children in need this holiday season.
The Salvation Army does this every year, and helps put the smiles on children's faces Christmas morning.
Since a week ago Friday, Jesse Hentzell, Lee Ann Horner and a slew of dedicated volunteers have been busy sorting, cataloging, and organizing for the big pick up.
With 35 to 50 volunteers fluctuating throughout the day on Friday, 870 boxes, each one per child, were prepped and set to be handed out to families.
"it really is an amazing process." said Hentzell, "First Presbyterian Church has been really good to us for many years to allow The Salvation Army to set this up and make this happen on an annual basis."
The speed and organization of the process moves like the ocean tide, with volunteers coming in for the next box and going out with a bag full of toys and supplies for children. They move in unison as if they did this every day of the week, even though it's only one day a year.
Dedicated to their mission objective, with the most professional sense of any volunteers, it would make anyone who witnessed such a feat be in awe at the magnitude of items that are handed out minute by minute, through the day.
"It takes a minute for us to get synchronized, but then it all flows together." said third year volunteer Adam Denman.
Daniella Johnson never stopped moving as she talked about the effort.
"This is my first year volunteering with 3D Community Church," she said. "It's really great what they do here. I was a little overwhelmed at first, but this is simply amazing and I'm thankful to be a part of it."
A seventh year volunteer, Adilene Avarez rushed back and forth like all the rest; quick on her feet, using the tips of her toes, Adilene, along with all the volunteers worked quickly and diligently to keep the long line of cars moving through the church parking lot Friday morning.
Horner, a Joy Program volunteer, and Advisory Council Member is one of the volunteers that would remain all day long. She had been there all week, just like Adilene, giving her time to make sure Friday's event went smoothly, and all children's needs were met.
"This is just awesome," Horner said. "Our volunteers are fabulous. It's a complicated and intense effort throughout the whole process." Horner said, "We had a few children who still needed to be matched with donors almost up to the last minute, and thanks to so many people spreading the word we were able to cover all those who signed up right to the last minute. Our volunteers and donors really have come through for this program. Every single year God comes through in the end and makes it all come together."
"Jesse Henztell has done an amazing job," Horner added, "He has been so passionate and compassionate about this and deserves a lot of credit."
For more information on how you can volunteer to help next Christmas, or for any other events, contact The Salvation Army at 919-718-1717 or visit their main office location at 507 N Steele Street, in Sanford.
