Angel Tree families begin picking up gifts at the Fairgrounds
COLUMBIA, SC (WOLO) — Just inside the George B. Nutt Cattle Arena at the SC State Fairgrounds, rows and rows of boxes are filled with gifts — for over 2,500 children across the Midlands.
Nicholas Julian is the Director of Social Services with the Salvation Army of the Midlands and says the effort helps relieve families who are struggling to pay rent and utilities.
“Families are gonna be picking up gifts throughout this entire week from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. We’ve got all of our volunteers and volunteer groups that are gonna be coming through and helping with that distribution, and at the same time we’re also gonna be taking in more angels, and more adoptions are gonna be dropped off, and we’ll be packing bags for all the families later in the week,” says Julian.
Over 750 volunteers have signed up to help sort, prepare, and deliver the collective wish lists of local kids. Wishlists made up of toys, books, bedding, clothing, bicycles, and more.
Missie Duke has volunteered with the Angel Tree for about 10 years and says she and the others consider themselves to be Santa’s elves.
“I do it because it’s so wonderful to see how generous people are at this time of year, and also you have so much bad news every year, and this just makes me smile when I go home. I’m so happy that I came, so I look forward to it every year,” says Duke.
Fourth year volunteer Sherri Jenkins says it’s about the look of appreciation and relief on the parents faces as they pick up gifts for their children.
“And there’s nothing like seeing these babies receive these gifts, but I think more importantly, it’s because the parents — you can tell when folks may have been having a hard time and just didn’t know how they were gonna make ends meet. The volunteerism, and the compassion that people have for these young people, that is why we do it. We want to see that. And these parents, they have to have hope. And being a part of the salvation army and being able to contribute, that’s where the hope comes from, and we just wanna say return thanks, and the parents are so thankful.” says Jenkins.
Angels can still be adopted by clicking here. Gifts can then be dropped off at the Nutt Arena on Tuesday and Wednesday, December 16th and 17th — located just beyond the main gate to the fair.
