Video: Volunteers Come Through To Help Hundreds Of Needy Families As Part Of ‘Angel Tree’ Program

TUPELO, MISS. (WCBI) – As a full time student at MSU AND Miss Tupelo, Alivia Roberts has a lot on her calendar, still, she carved out a few hours to help deliver toys to parents as part of the “Angel Tree” program.

“We have the opportunity to meet the families, grab their gifts, take them to their car, kind of interact with them and share the Gospel with them, so it’s exciting to be able to give back this Christmas season,” Roberts said.

Building Five at the Tupelo Furniture Market was the pick up point for those in the “Angel Tree ” program. Each year, the Salvation Army decorates a Christmas tree with anonymous profiles of needy children. The profiles include a child’s age, clothing sizes, and items from their Christmas wish list. Shoppers grab a list, buy the items and return the unwrapped gifts. All this week an army of volunteers spent hours organizing the presents, so parents can pick them up in plenty of time for Christmas morning.

“We have just over 300 families that we’re helping this year with Christmas assistance,” said Maj. Jeff Daniel, of the Salvation Army.

Major  Daniel says no child on the “Angel Tree” list is left without toys and clothes.

“This is an opportunity for us to give back and to be a blessing to those in the community and make where we live a better place,” Maj. Daniel said.

That generosity and willingness to help is appreciated by Joseph Williams. The Booneville resident says “Angel Tree” means his kids will have gifts under the tree.

“We have a little boy and a little girl and the Angel Tree program provided to the fullest for them this year for Christmas. The Angel Tree program is a gift from God and everything that comes from God is good,” Williams said.

Along with the toys and clothes, each family in the Angel Tree program gets a turkey or chicken for Christmas Day.

Major Daniel points out that donations to the Red Kettles helps cover the cost of the Angel Tree outreach. Those kettles will be at stores through Christmas Eve.