Old department store turns North Pole for Salvation Army Angel Tree toy giveaway

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Salvation Army volition marque Christmas wishes travel existent for thousands of section children connected Wednesday with its yearly Angel Tree artifact event.

Toy postulation was hard past twelvemonth due to the fact that of the pandemic, but the foundation inactive managed to springiness to 3,500 families.

Despite different hard twelvemonth for a batch of families, the section Salvation Army commandant said challenges similar the pandemic and ostentation didn’t interaction donations. Salvation Army Northeast Florida expects to springiness toys to 4,000 families astatine this year’s event.

The erstwhile JCPenney’s astatine the Regency Mall is the office for the Angel Tree organisation -- but it’s much similar Santa’s store astatine the North Pole these days.

“We’ve been precise pleased with the magnitude of gifts that’s travel back. The size of the gifts, the generosity of the donors. It’s truly overwhelmed us,” said Maj. Keath Biggers, the section Salvation Army commander. “Every kid volition person an abundant fig of gifts connected Christmas Day due to the fact that of Northeast Florida’s giving tone and generosity.”

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The donations collected by the Salvation Army volition spell to families who can’t spend them.

Jen Lee has volunteered for the organisation 3 years successful a row.

“I person 2 children of my ain and it conscionable would interruption my bosom if I wasn’t capable to springiness gifts to my babies,” Lee said. “It’s conscionable large to spot radical smile.”

The Angel Tree lawsuit is NOT unfastened to the public. Families receiving toys Wednesday person already signed up done the Salvation Army.

However, it’s not excessively precocious to give. Go to SalvationArmyNEFL.org for ways to donate.

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