Angels among us during holidays

By ROBERT LEE LONG - Community Editor
Wednesday, November 18, 2009

DESOTO COUNTY - The Salvation Army of Memphis is gearing up to serve 8,000 underprivileged children with its 2009 Angel Tree program.

The number of children who are facing a bleak Christmas is rising due to the struggling national economy.

"We know that the holidays this year will be tough for most families," Maj. Mark Woodcock, Salvation Army Area commander, said Wednesday.

Woodcock said more corporate sponsors are necessary to serve the growing need.

Last year, the Salvation Army had a 33 percent drop in the number of organizations that adopted angels, according to Woodcock.

Citizens National Bank in Southaven and Olive Branch are among the many corporate sponsors helping to make the holidays a little brighter for some of the area's less fortunate individuals.

Angel trees are now on display in bank lobbies, and employees are encouraging bank customers and the general public to adopt children in need. The individuals' nametags list the child's age, and any toys they are requesting. Clothing sizes are also given for the type of clothing that children need.

"Anyone interested in reaching out to an underprivileged child, or a senior citizen with very limited resources, can stop by the bank, choose an angel nametag from one of the bank's Salvation Army trees, and bring their unwrapped gifts back to the bank by Dec. 12," DeSoto County Market President for Citizens National Bank Joe Anthony said. "Our bank will ensure that the gifts are delivered to the Salvation Army office so that these children will be sure to have something under their tree on Christmas morning."

Anthony said he was inspired by a young newly wed employee at the bank who adopted three children. So far, the bank has adopted eight children.

"It's a very worthwhile project," Anthony said.

Woodcock said the organization needs all the help that it can get.

"Ultimately, we max out every year," Woodcock said. "We've had to turn a lot of people away."

Woodcock said the application process for needy families starts earlier in the year.

There is no set amount to spend on an angel but each angel typically receives three to four gifts.

Woodcock said that families are carefully screened during the application process.

To qualify for assistance, the families must provide proof of income and expenses, proof of the children living in their household, birth certificates, and a photo ID of the head of the household.

For any information on the Salvation Army Angel Tree Program contact Lynn Shettles at the Salvation Army Memphis, 901-260-9118, or Joe Anthony at 662-890-2860.

Other non-profit organizations also have Christmas angel tree programs that are not affiliated with the Salvation Army.

"Most children that are placed within our care often have not ever experienced a Christmas like every child dreams of," Cindy Donaldson with Impact Missions in Southaven said. That group sponsors an annual angel tree program as well.

"Christmas for the kids does just that," Donaldson said. "We gather all the children in our care, past residents, staff, volunteers, and anyone else that would like to offer a helping hand."

If any volunteer would like to help out by cooking, decorating, establishing an angel tree, "adopting" a child to purchase gifts from the wish list, or any other way call 662-253-0232 or e-mail Donaldson at cdonaldson@impactms.org.

"We place angel trees anywhere that a business will allow," Donaldson said. "So if you would know of a business that would let us place an angel tree in their office/lobby please let me know."

West Oak Grove Church of Christ is also sponsoring an angel tree program for the third consecutive year.

The church's efforts will culminate Dec. 5 in a Christmas Party complete with gifts for 105 children.

Robert Lee Long: rlong@desototimestribune.com or at 662-429-6397, Ext. 252

Robert Lee Long
DeSoto Times
November 18, 2009