Christmas is best reflected in the joy seen in a child’s eyes when they open the presents left under the tree on Christmas morning. The sheer pleasure of that moment is often enough to get families through months of hardship and strife. In 1979 Majors Charles and Shirley White realized the number of families that couldn't offer that to their children were staggering, and decided to help while stationed in Lynchburg, Virginia. Working with the local mall the White’s organized a program where a Christmas tree was festooned with greeting cards bearing the names and needs of children in the area that otherwise would not have presents to open at Christmastime. These cards bore the likeness of angels… and The Angel Tree program was born.

When the White’s were transferred to Nashville in 1982 WSM radio, which airs the Grand Ole Opry, became the first co-sponsor in the US. Soon national exposure followed and the Angel Tree became a widely recognized and supported Christmas charity. Now the Salvation Army partners with corporations, radio stations and department stores in order to provide more and more children and seniors with no family the Christmas joy they deserve. JCPenney even has online registration for Angels, where you can pick your own “Angel” and if you complete your shopping with JCPenney they will deliver the gifts to the Salvation Army free of charge. Kroger has also gotten into the giving spirit with their Food Angel program. At many Kroger locations you can simply grab a tag off the tree and they will scan it at the register. $25.00 will be added to your total purchase and $25.00 worth of groceries will be purchased for a family in need.

The Salvation Army has also recognized the growing numbers of Angels that aren’t adopted and have done their best to accommodate every single child or senior in need by forming the Forgotten Angels Program. This is a store of basic gifts, categorized by age groups, that covers the needs of an Angel even if they weren’t specifically adopted.

Corporate sponsorship has become crucial in this economy and Bob Parks Realty has done its part to help ensure that the Angels in our area are not forgotten. This year, we had outstanding participation by our Brentwood agents, adopting a total of 40 Angels from the Cool Springs Galleria location.

The Salvation Army has long been a symbol of the giving spirit associated with Christmas, the numerous Santa's accompanied by their bells and red kettles have become ushers to the season. The Angel Tree is just a more specific way you can make sure your donation goes directly to a person in need this holiday season, and provide yourself with the joy that accompanies giving.

Posted by:  Jennifer McClarney

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