Giving Joy for Christmas
When organizations work together, they can achieve great things. This is certainly true in North Vernon, where The Salvation Army works with Good Samaritan Food Pantry to help bring Christmas joy to the Jennings County community through a joint Angel Tree program. In 2021, families in need began applying for Christmas assistance starting in July, with a total of 73 local children eventually enrolling in Angel Tree.
Ginger Miller, a Salvation Army volunteer and Executive Director of Good Samaritan, made a point of reaching out to families that had been a part of Angel Tree in the past to check up on them and find out if they were in need of help this year. They were grateful to know they had not been forgotten.
“When I called to ask if he still wanted to sign up, [one recipient] was so appreciative, telling me how hard it’s been for him as a single parent.”
Wish lists in hand, The Salvation Army and Good Samaritan collaborate to secure Angel Tree funds. Each year volunteers and staff shop for gifts based on the children’s needs and wishes, wrapping the packages in-house in preparation for a big distribution event.
Ginger and her team are looking forward to returning to the pre-pandemic Christmas party, complete with a big meal for all the Angel Tree families, gifts handed out by Santa Claus himself, and children “shopping” for special presents for their parents. Despite obstacles brought on by the pandemic, the Angel Tree program has continued to ensure that gifts are safely delivered to each family in time for Christmas.
The Salvation Army collaborates with Good Samaritan throughout the entire year, sharing volunteers between the food pantry and The Salvation Army’s Emergency Disaster Services team. Through this partnership, we have seen Christ work in mighty ways and experienced firsthand the power of community.
Thanks to the generosity of donors like you, communities like Jennings County can restore hope for families at Christmastime and in times of need.