REGISTER BY NOVEMBER 3 TO MAKE HOLIDAY WISHES COME TRUE FOR CHILDREN IN NEED #LoveBeyond
Submitted by Fran Folic
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (September 28, 2023) – The holidays are a magical time to embrace family, joy, and giving, but for many underserved and homeless Broward residents, they are a time of hardship. The Salvation Army of Broward County invites corporations and small businesses to #LoveBeyond by becoming an Angel Tree Group Adopter to provide gifts, smiles and hope for thousands of Broward children in need. Angel Tree Group Adopters are requested to register by November 3.
In 2021, the U.S. Census reported that 9.4% of Broward County families live in poverty and The Broward Partnership for the Homeless reported that approximately 2,054 residents remain homeless. According to CareerSource Broward, there are currently 34,491 unemployed individuals in Broward County (August, 2023).
“While the economy struggles to return to pre-pandemic levels, our corporate holiday support has not rebounded and is still in need of generous Angel Tree benefactors,” said Major Juan Guadalupe, area commander for The Salvation Army of Broward County. “Whether it is 10 or 100, Group Adopters can make a huge impact for our families, right here, right now at home. We are grateful to the community and humbly ask those who are in a position to help to join us as we restore faith and promise to our most vulnerable children and families this Christmas.”
Group Adopters can be any entity or individual who adopts 10 or more Angels (children). Group Adopters collect and provide age appropriate toys and clothing for their adopted Angels, a process facilitated by the Angel Tree program. Children’s gift wishes are detailed on Angel ornament tags placed on physical holiday trees throughout Broward County inside of local malls and supporting businesses and on a virtual registry. Fulfilled requests and gifts are collected, organized, and prepared by The Salvation Army for distribution in December.
This year, unwrapped gifts may be delivered by December 6 to The Salvation Army of Broward County’s headquarters or arrangements can be made, in advance, for the gifts to be picked-up. Collected gifts will be sorted and organized by volunteers for Toy Shop drive-through distribution on December 19.
The Angel Tree Program is only a small part of The Salvation Army’s holiday initiatives to aid the less fortunate. Alongside Angel Tree, essential funds for feeding, shelter, and social services are raised through the annual Red Kettle Bell-Ringing Campaign. The Red Kettle campaign calls on volunteers and community partners to ring the bell to attract attention and encourage donations from shoppers and pedestrians. These finances are used to help the most vulnerable and disadvantaged individuals in our communities.
For more information, about becoming a Salvation Army Angel Tree Group Adopter, please contact Michael Cash at (954) 712-2435 or email Michael.Cash@uss.salvationarmy.org.
About The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army of Broward County, a 501(c)(3) organization, has been serving our county since 1926. Our mission is to meet basic human needs without discrimination through various programs such as the Economic Stability Program, Seasonal Services, Housing Programs, Food Assistance, and Disaster Relief Services. For more information or to make a donation, visit www.fortlauderdale.salvationarmyflorida.org or call (954) 524-6991. Follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/Browardsalvationarmy, on Instagram @browardtsa, and on Twitter @BrowardTSA
