Salvation Army's Angel Tree program supports children in need

Dec. 1—For more than 30 years the Salvation Army Oneonta has brightened Christmas mornings for thousands of children in the Oneonta area with their Angel Tree program.

"It's a really great program," Envoy Margie Aitken said. "The angel tags help bring to children in need that feeling of happiness on Christmas morning that most of us have taken for granted."

The Salvation Army Oneonta receives applications from families with children 12 and younger that are struggling in October. The parent writes down the age of their child, what their child's favorite color is, their clothes sizes and their wish list. This information is placed on a tag and the tags are placed on Christmas trees around area businesses.

"They're everywhere," Aitken said of the trees. "They're all over town."

People can find the trees at area banks, BJ's, Walmart, the Southside Mall, Hannaford, Corning and The Daily Star, she said.

Christine Bensen, classified advertising manager at The Daily Star, said it was the first time the company has hosted an Angel Tree. She invited anyone in the community to come to the office during business hours to take a tag from the tree.

In addition, there is a registry at Walmart.com, or people can bring in toys they think a child would like to the Salvation Army's 25 River Street location, Aitken said.

Members of the community can take a tag off a tree and buy some presents for area children ages 1 month through 12 years. Gift ideas include teething rings, stuffed animals, Barbies, electronics, educational toys, Legos, hair accessories, books and puzzles. Aitken said there are almost 500 children that are signed up this year. Not every tag will be picked, so the extra donations help.

Once the gifts are purchased, they can be taken back to the place the person picked up the tag or can be dropped off at the Salvation Army on River Street. The due date for taking back the items with their tag is Wednesday, Dec. 13. The items will be sorted and numbered and distributed to the families the following week. Anyone who didn't sign up, but needs help this year can come to the Salvation Army Dec. 21 on a first come first served basis, she said. People will need to provide identification of everyone living in the home and have proof of address.

While Aitken was conducting the interview over the phone, a person came in with a bag of items he bought for a child. He asked about the program and Aitken explained it and gave the person a receipt. He told Aitken he would be in with another bag for another child later.

"We have an extremely generous community," Aitken said. "Without the community's help, we're just a building. I truly thank God for them each day."

She said the program also helps the people who are giving the presents. "So many times people feel helpless," she said. However, if they take one tag and buy the items for that child, they are giving that child a wonderful Christmas morning. "It lets us have that feeling that we made a difference in a child's life," she said.

Aitken said the kettles are also out in the area. The funds raised stay local and help the organization operate throughout the year.

Vicky Klukkert, staff writer, can be reached at vklukkert@thedailystar.com or 607-441-7221.