Salvation Army Raises Tree
ANGEL TREE KICKS OFF SEASON OF GIVING
Posted: November 6, 2009 at 8:18 a.m.
FAYETTEVILLE — The Salvation Army kicked off the season of giving Thursday with a towering tree and paper angels at the Northwest Arkansas Mall.
Sharon Robinson, volunteer coordinator for the Salvation Army, said the Salvation Army wanted to get an earlier start this year to make it easier for shoppers to have their Angel Tree items in by Dec. 1. Each angel will include information on a child’s clothing size, shoe size and three toy wishes. Gifts should be dropped o◊- unwrapped - at the tree where the angel was selected.
The Angel Tree has been a part of the Salvation Army’s Christmas mission since the1980s, and officials say the need has never been greater. More than 2,400 children need sponsors this year.
Along with children, there are also what the Salvation Army terms “Forgotten Angels.” Forgotten Angels are senior citizens, usually in nursing homes, who are unlikely to receive visitors or gifts this holiday season. Wishes include slippers, robes, stu◊ed animals or trinkets and large-print books or Bibles. Forgotten Angels are only available at the tree located between Journeys and The Buckle at the mall.
Trees will also be set up at Walmart and First Security Bank locations.
“We encourage donors to keep the top part of the angel and hang it on their tree as a reminder that someone is having a brighter daybecause of their generosity,” Major Tim Williford, area commander of the Salvation Army in Northwest Arkansas, said.
Williford said an overall decline in donations to charities decreased only 2 percent last year despite the poor economy, and he is optimistic about the Angel Tree program’s success.
“Despite personal hardships, Americans are still able to see that there are people out there with a greater need,” he said.
Volunteers are also needed to be Angel Tree attendants at the mall, as well as to sort and ready donations for distribution at the Angel Tree Toy Shop. Volunteers can sign up to help at nwasa.volunteerfi rst. org or call Sharon Robinson at 479-981-0900.
News, Pages 2 on 11/06/2009
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