Angel Tree Donations Deadline December 1

The Salvation Army’s Angel Tree program is winding down for this year, and Melissa Poole, who is with the Salvation Army in Sevier and Cocke Counties says this year has not seen the donations as in years’ past. The Angel Tree program is a way for generous donors to help put presents under Christmas trees for those less fortunate children whose trees would otherwise have nothing under them. The way it works is once a child is registered and accepted as an Angel, their Christmas wish list is shared with compassionate donors in their own community. These kind-hearted individuals then purchase new clothing and toys to fulfill these special Christmas wishes. Melissa Poole says that this year though, donors are scarce because inflation has hit families hard. She says there are Angel tags that have been taken from the Angel Tree at Wal-Mart, yet the gifts for that child have never surfaced. There are also quite a few angel tags still on the tree. With the deadline for donations coming tomorrow, December 1, the Salvation Army is worried many on the angel tree will go without anything for Christmas this year. Poole says that Cocke County has always been very generous with the Angel Tree program and hopes the community will come through again. You can visit the Angel Tree at the Newport Wal-Mart and get more information by contacting the Salvation Army’s office in Sevierville. That number is (865) 908-4010.