Christmas Program Success
As we wrap up another successful holiday season, we want to take a moment to reflect on the success of the 2024 Angel Tree program. On behalf of The Salvation Army Austin, we express our deepest gratitude to everyone who made it possible. This year’s program was truly special, and it wouldn't have been the heartwarming success it was without the generous support of our community.
This winter, over 7,000 children were given joy and the opportunity to experience real Christmas magic through our Angel Tree program. Starting in September, families in Central Texas were able to apply to the program for their children to be "adopted" by local donors to receive Christmas gifts and necessities they otherwise might have gone without. By November, our Christmas warehouse was filled with new toys and clothes specifically selected from each child’s wish list.
The generosity of our community was overwhelming. Corporate partners and individual donors not only contributed gifts but also gave their time to help prepare the bags for our distribution week. The proper care and organization of each families’ gifts was made possible by the selfless assistance of over 1,000 warehouse volunteers. Whether you were taking inventory or packing the red mesh bags, we are so thankful for the way you served your community this holiday season.
A week before Christmas, we opened the doors to our warehouse, where families picked up their gifts. The excitement was palpable as parents entered the room, greeted by smiling staff and volunteers, with red mesh bags filled with personalized bundles of joy awaiting them. Volunteers were on hand to guide families to their designated areas, ensuring a smooth and welcoming experience for all. The joy on their faces as they picked up their gifts were a true testament to the impact of this program.
During this time of year, we are reminded that acts of kindness don’t just change the lives of those receiving, but they also inspire all of us to keep giving, to keep serving, and to keep spreading hope. This year, we have been blessed in ways we could never have anticipated, and we are incredibly thankful for each person who contributed to making the 2024 Angel Tree program a heartwarming success.
A special shoutout to Underground Printing for treating our staff to matching Christmas warehouse t-shirts! Partnerships like these make our program even more joyful. If you are interested in being involved in next year’s Angel Tree or any of our other year-round programs, click the button below or contact [email protected] for more information.