Tis the season! Thanks to midlands donors, Angel Trees will help families make a Merry Christmas

Salvation Army Angel Trees provided for many families this Christmas

Columbia, S.C. (WOLO) —Thanks to volunteers and those in the Midlands who took the time to donate, this year’s Angel Tree has helped put gifts under the tree.

ABC Columbia is a proud sponsor of the Salvation Army’s Angel Tree project. Every year many of you adopt a child’s name off the tree and help Santa with deliveries. This year was no different.

And there’s still time if you’d like to help the Salvation Army you can donate to the Red Kettles. Just stop by any of the area locations and drop in some change, or new this year, use Google or Apple pay.

ABC Columbia’s Maria Szatkowski has the story on delivery day when presents were picked up for Christmas thanks to all the angels who gave to the Angel Tree.

“It means a lot to me, because some of us can’t afford to get our children things for Christmas. So to come here and feel the love, I’m just grateful,” said Tiffany Alexander, a recipient of the program.

The Salvation Army of the Midlands is spreading that love, thanks to tall the donations and volunteers that work to make this season merry and bright.

“If it wasn’t for the Salvation Army doing this, there would be a lot of children that would not have a Christmas,” said Bud Foster, a volunteer with the Salvation Army.

“You work hard, it’s hard work. A lot of times. But your smile when you go home, you’re just smiling and you’re happy that you could do something and surprise some kids that don’t even know they’re going to get all these presents,” said Louise Foster, another volunteer.

Some families just need a little help to make sure their kids have a good Christmas, and it’s okay to ask for help. The community gives back, flooding the Salvation Army with donations.

“Sometimes we gotta put our pride aside and do what we need to do for our families,” said Alexander. “Sometimes it’s hard for us to buy Christmas gifts and pay our bills. So to have something like this, it really takes off a lot of stress for the parents. And children will be happy, and that’s what’s most important.”

“My heart swells up so big I get tears in my eyes,” said Louise.

“I love it, I’m very grateful, I’m thankful. It shows me that there’s still good people in the world,” said Alexander.

The Salvation Army is always looking for volunteers for their programs throughout the year. If you’d like to get involved, click here for more information.