Tricia Williams - Angel Tree

Christmas is generally a time of love and laughter. Many children circle December 25 on their calendars months in advance, anxiously waiting a joyous, plentiful holiday season. However, thousands of children in the Memphis area are not so lucky. For these children, Christmas is not a happy holiday, and presents piled under a brightly-colored Christmas tree is only something that happens in fairy-tales.

The Salvation Army is dedicated to turning fairy-tales into realities. One of The Salvation Army's most rewarding programs, Angel Tree, provides clothes, toys and other necessities to children and seniors who otherwise would have a very bare Christmas. For Tricia Williams, The Salvation Army Angel Tree program was the ultimate Christmas blessing.

Tricia first learned about The Salvation Army's Angel Tree program during her stay at the Renewal Place, a two-year drug and rehabilitation center operated by The Salvation Army for mothers and their children. Money was tight for the family of four, and Tricia knew Christmas was going to be hard. Eager to give her daughters a holiday they could always remember, she signed her three children, Jasmine, Jerresha and Jakyra, into the program.

"All mothers want to give their children the best Christmas possible, but sometimes it is difficult to do it on your own," said Tricia. "The Salvation Army Angel Tree program helps parents, like me, who are trying to give their children a wonderful holiday season, but who can't afford to do it."

Jasmine, an energetic seven-year-old, asked for a LeapFrog pad, an educational computer game. Both infants, Jerresha and Jakyra, needed baby clothes and walkers. "Seeing the joy in my babies' eyes was the best present I could ever ask for," said Tricia. "I was overwhelmed by the generosity of a stranger who cared enough to make Christmas special for my children."

The Salvation Army Angel Tree program relies on the support and generosity of the community for its success.