The Selma Times‑Journal

Residents step to help Angels, children

Published 10:40pm Thursday, December 19, 2013

Hundreds of underprivileged families can rest easy knowing their children will get the pleasure of having presents this Christmas.

The Salvation Army handed out about 550 bags of bespoke christmas cards Tree program donations to recipients Thursday at the Old National Guard Armory. The program pairs donors with a child from a low-income family to provide Christmas gifts.

"It's really satisfying," Major Steve Welch of the Salvation Army said. "Because of the Angel Tree Program, most of the kids are getting something that's on their wish list."

About 550 of the 590 angles were from the Dallas County area.

Selma Resident Tamika has benefited from the program for two years. She said her three girls are always pleased to receive the gifts they get from the Angel Tree program.

"It feels good, because it's a help when you can't buy," Tamekia said. "I have three girls, so it's rough."

Selma resident Tanikki is using the program for the first time to provide for her boy and two girls.

"It feels good, because sometimes it gets hard through the year," Tanikki said. "Some people aren't able to buy their kids toys. It's a blessing that someone helped you buy your kids something for Christmas."

Although the organization had a rough start, the organization was able to adopt out all of the 590 angels with the help of several community residents and the JCPenney and Target gift cards that were donated a day after the deadline.

Welch said he appreciates those willing to donate their time, money and effort into making sure children from low-income households were still able to have a Merry Christmas.

"There were so many businesses, individuals and organizations that sponsored angels," Welch said.