May 24, 2013
The Salvation Army’s Christmas assistance program, or what has become known as “The Angel Tree,” is what Kimberly Walker calls a blessing.
"This is a blessing for me and my kids because we are on a limited income. There are a lot of families out there that don't have any help, they don't have anybody they can depend on to help them at Christmas time."
Walker is a single mother who has signed up her four children for Christmas assistance this year, and now she's selflessly returning the favor.
"I'm up here volunteering and helping. I'll be up here for the next few days and every day they're opened and I'll be helping out with Angel Tree. If they're gonna help me the least I could do is offer my help back in whatever way they need me."
Cheryl Phillips, of the Salvation Army, says they've just started taking applications on Monday and already have a huge need to fulfill in the community.
"It's extremely important because most of our families can't afford to buy anything at Christmas for their families and this gives them help for their children to be able to have Christmas."
So here's how the angel tree works…
"Each child will be put on a little angel tag. People in the community can take an angel off the tree and go and purchase or help us purchase Christmas for those children."
And yes, it's that simple.
"Every child is special. Every child should have something under the Christmas tree, even if it's not but one thing. Just having something there for them to wake up to that morning let's them know that somebody cares about them."
So this year, go pick an angel off the tree.
Even the smallest gift can mean the most to a child on Christmas morning.
