The Salvation Army's Angel Tree Program Provides Hope During the Christmas Season

MEMPHIS, Tennessee, November 16, 2007 - More than 7,000 Angels need adopting this year through The Salvation Army. The Angel Tree program runs from November 17 through December 8 and provides underprivileged children and seniors with holiday gifts, and with hope for the future.

The Salvation Army's Angel Tree program is a wonderful way for families, companies and civic groups to have fun while giving back to the community. Just picture the joy on a child's or senior's face when they receive a much wished-for gift bought for them by someone they have never met. Without the selfless giving and support of the community, the Angel Tree program would not take place.

No child chooses to live in poverty and no senior ever expects to rely on the goodwill of others. The Angel Tree program provides these people with much needed clothing, special needs gifts, toys and other wished-for items.

After completing a screening process to verify need, Angels (children age 12 and under and seniors aged 62 and older) are qualified for the program. Angels are assigned a tag listing their name, age, sex, clothing size and the item(s) they would like or need. These tags are added to the Angel Trees at Carrefour at Kirby Woods, Oak Court Mall and Wolfchase Galleria.

Individuals can visit the Angel Trees to select an Angel and fulfill their wish list. As the holidays become more commercialized, the importance of these small acts of kindness and giving are even more important to recipients in the Angel Tree program.

"The Angel Tree is one of my favorite programs during the holiday season," said Major Mark Woodcock, Area Commander for The Salvation Army. "We have families who come to us who are struggling financially, desperately seeking to make Christmas special for their children. To be able to help them make their children's Christmas dreams come true is very rewarding."

Approximately 7,000 Angels, more than 85 percent of them children, will receive gifts this year. There is no set amount to spend on an Angel but, on average, each Angel receives three-to-four gifts. Purchased gifts need to be delivered, unwrapped to the tree location where the Angel was selected.

2007 Angel Tree sponsors include AutoZone, FedEx Express, International Paper, Baptist Memorial Health Care Corporation, Cellular South and The Salvation Army Women's Auxiliary, WREC 600 News Radio, Rock 103, and Eyewitness News. For more information on the Angel Tree program, please contact Lynn Shettles (901) 260-9118.

About The Salvation Army Memphis
The Salvation Army Memphis began its work in the city on October 18, 1900. Since then, the organization has fought hunger, homelessness, addiction, poverty, abuse, and suffering caused by disaster. At the center of The Salvation Army's work in Memphis is a common belief that all people can make positive changes. The Salvation Army believes in the healing power of compassion, love, dignity and respect, and use these principles to guide our actions and words.

The Salvation Army values the transforming power of God and the salvation that comes from knowing Christ as our personal savior. The Salvation Army believes that enduring change comes from holistic ministry to the mind, body and spirit.

Every year, The Salvation Army Memphis helps more than 27,000 people, provides more than 60,000 nights of lodging, and serves more than 200,000 meals and snacks.

CONTACT:
Abby More
Thompson & Berry PR
(901) 328-5233

Elizabeth Duncan
The Salvation Army
(901) 260 -9130