Volunteer to host a real or virtual Angel Tree and make holiday wishes come true for children in need
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (November 13, 2019) – Corporations and small businesses can make a huge community impact this holiday season for thousands of Broward children in need. The Salvation Army of Broward County is seeking companies to participate in its Angel Tree Program which annually makes wishes come true for underserved families.
“We are fortunate to have an incredible local corporate support system that generously helps provide for those who cannot do so for themselves,” said Major Stephen Long, area commander for The Salvation Army of Broward County. “But, we need more volunteers and kind hearts to reach out and share our message of hope and faith during the holidays; often the most emotionally and financially stressful times of the year. Even the smallest gift makes a world of difference.”
The “angels” are real children with real needs who live in Broward County. The Salvation Army works with several other agencies in our community to identify and qualify those families who need the most help. Each year, it delivers more than 3,200 gifts and holiday cheer to these local recipients.
Companies can choose a real or virtual “tree.” This is the second year that Salvation Army is hosting virtual Angel Trees online at Amazon.com at https://tinyurl.com/AngelTreeBroward2019. Employees can browse and choose from a list of items, each accompanied by a blurb detailing the child recipient’s name, gender and age. Gifts purchased through the Angel Tree Registry will be sent directly to The Salvation Army of Broward (via choosing the address location upon checkout).
Organizations who opt for a real Angel Tree will be provided with actual angel tags detailing a child’s wishes, sizing and other pertinent information plus packaging and instructions. Tags may be displayed in any creative manner – on a holiday tree, bulletin board or mural, or distributed directly to participants. Each angel donor fulfills the gift request on the tag ($25 to $30 per child, as this may be the only gift the child receives). Unwrapped gifts may be delivered by Friday, December 13, or picked-up by The Salvation Army of Broward with advance notice.
Collected gifts are sorted and organized by volunteers and then prepared for Toy Shop distribution which takes place on Friday, December 20.
“Our Angel Tree program unites employees for good and reminds us of the true spirit of the season. It’s a genuine means to directly connect with and measurably impact the lives of those less fortunate,” added Major Long.
The Angel Tree Program is only part of the nonprofit organization’s holiday efforts to help those less fortunate. On Nov. 22, the organization will kick-off its Red Kettle program and, on Thanksgiving, it will host free meals in partnership with The Cheesecake Factory for hundreds of families with diminished resources.
For more information about the Corporate Angel Tree Donor Program, please contact Alyse Gossman at (954) 712-2431
