Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, November 20, 1993 TAG: 9311200049
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV2 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: Joanne Anderson Staff Writer
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Year after year, local families, organizations and businesses have responded, adopting an angel or two and providing presents for each child.
The project, founded more than a decade ago, is one of the Salvation Army's holiday assistance programs. Last year, these programs helped over 7 million people across the nation have a happier Christmas.
Each angel has the first name, age and clothing sizes of a local child and perhaps a toy or two that child would like. People can read the information on the angels and choose the one they are most comfortable buying for, said an official with the New River Valley Salvation Army's Pulaski office.
Parents who raised all boys, for example, might want to adopt a girl. Or maybe a father with all sons would feel more knowledgeable about clothes and toys for another boy.
Often families choose an angel the same age as their own child and let their child help with the gift buying as a family lesson on charity.
Many businesses, like Volvo GM and Hubbell Lighting, take 100 angels each for their employees and company to adopt. Julie Fentress of Hubbell said that her firm gives 50 angels to the plant and 50 to the office staff.
"Some people tell me to let them know when there are just a few angels left, so they can adopt the ones that didn't get picked," she said.
Once an angel is selected, the adopting shopper takes the bottom part of the angel, leaving the top part on the Angel Tree.
These volunteers Santas then buy and wrap their gifts and return them to the Angel Tree a week before Christmas with the bottom part attached to the package.
K92-FM, officially WXLK 92.3-FM, the sponsor of this year's Angel Trees, will promote the program regularly on its broadcasts.
Laurel Creek Nursery donated the six-to seven-foot white pines for the Angel Trees.
A Salvation Army volunteer will be at the trees to answer questions and offer assistance during all hours that the mall is open.
by CNB