Video: Hundreds Of Children Will Have Presents To Unwrap Thanks To Angel Tree

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TUPELO, MISS. (WCBI) –  Hundreds of families in our viewing area will have presents under the Christmas tree because of the generosity of thousands.
The annual Salvation Army’s Angel Tree program wrapped up Friday morning as parents collected toys and clothes for their boys and girls.

It took less than three hours for volunteers to match toys and clothes, purchased by Good Samaritans, with Angel Tree recipients.

Each child’s wish list , picked from an Angel Tree, was brought to the Tupelo Furniture Market, where it was all sorted out, and delivered to more than 300 families.

That was Keyanna Smith’s number. She needed help from Angel Tree this year so her four children could have a memorable Christmas.

“It means a lot to me and for my kids, it’s a great blessing to have,” Smith said.

The process for Keyanna and hundreds of others who needed help this Christmas started in August, with an application. For the first time, the Salvation Army required all Angel Tree applicants to take a budgeting
class.

As he handed out bags of food to Angel Tree families, Major Jeff Daniel said the budgeting class was well received.

“It helped a lot of folks so it made a big difference and it gives us an opportunity to help other people, help themselves,” Maj. Daniel said.

Major Daniel said it takes many people to make Angel Tree a success.

“All those folks we’ve asked to help by taking Angels off the tree have been a part of this, all those people participating in the school kids and businesses who have done canned food drives, collecting those items, and making donations in the kettles, that’s what those proceeds go to,” he said.

For Salvation Army staffers and volunteers, Angel Tree is a lot of work, but being able to show the true spirit of Christmas, makes it all worthwhile.

Angel Tree serves children up to 12 years of age.