The Salvation Army Gives Away Gifts in Their Angel Tree Project

HATTIESBURG, MISS. - The Salvation Army in Laurel wanted to make sure that not one child in the community got left out for Christmas. Recently, they collected gifts through their Angel Tree program, and on Monday they distributed those gifts along with food boxes.

“It's just fun to see all their faces and you know you make people happy,” a child volunteer, Dohnna Hastings said.

Hastings and a few of her friends decided to help give back early Monday morning. The group of little helpers or elves as the Salvation Army would call them, helped carry gifts and food boxes to the cars of parents that applied for the Christmas Angel Tree program through the Salvation Army.

“What's special about it is that we are helping children that are really in need,” Corps Officer for the Salvation Army, Major Bert Lind said. “Especially at Christmas time you know everyone deserves a good Christmas.”

A good Christmas is exactly what Lind and the Salvation Army provided to more than 500 children.

“I say we helped five-hundred children but it only takes one family to come back and say ‘thank you,’ and it makes it all worthwhile,” Lind said. “We’ve had parents come in and get their toys and look at them, and they break down in tears because they cannot afford to do that for their children, but they're appreciative of what we're doing.”

Thanks to the Salvation Army and their little voluntary elves, plenty more children can enjoy the holiday cheer this Christmas.