Press Release: THE SALVATION ARMY IS BRINGING CHRISTMAS TO A RECORD 5,276 CHILDREN
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
contact: Samantha Hyde
Director of Community Relations
The Salvation Army Indiana Division
Office: 317-224-2000
Cell: 317-750-2406
SalvationArmyIndiana.org
THE SALVATION ARMY IS BRINGING CHRISTMAS TO A RECORD 5,276 CHILDREN IN CENTRAL INDIANA THIS YEAR
Indianapolis – The Salvation Army is looking to Central Indiana businesses and churches to adopt thousands of Angels through its Angel Tree program this year. The number of families seeking Christmas assistance has doubled from 2017 to 2018. This sudden growth occurred in the wake of news that the United Way of Central Indiana was ending its United Christmas Service program, resulting in thousands of local children in need of a new source for Christmas gifts. The Salvation Army stepped up, and will be serving 5,276 children from 2,124 families this year.
The Angel Tree program is designed to determine and fulfill the Christmas wishes and needs of underprivileged local children. Donors across Central Indiana have the opportunity to “adopt” each of these “Angels” and fill a special Angel Tree bag with gifts chosen for that specific child. Gifts are then distributed to parents in time for Christmas. Adopted Angels receive more than just toys, though. They also receive much-needed items like clothing, winter gear, shoes, diapers, and bedding.
With so many children enrolled, The Salvation Army is counting on additional business and churches to adopt large quantities of Angels. This effort is being coordinated by Andy Amick, The Salvation Army’s Director of Corporate Relations.
“We are so grateful for the support of local businesses. We really wouldn’t be able to serve this many children without them,” says Andy. “By adopting 10, 50, or 100 Angels, your business is supporting the community and making sure these children have the gifts they both want and need under the tree on Christmas morning.”
Here are all of the ways to get involved in Angel Tree:
- Get your group involved: Local businesses, churches, clubs, and companies are invited to adopt large groups of Angels through our Corporate Adoption process. Contact Andy Amick to get started: Andy_Amick@usc.salvationarmy.org.
- Adopt an Angel: The Salvation Army will host open Angel adoptions at Angel Trees in Castleton Square and Greenwood Park malls November 16-17 and every day except Sunday from November 23 to December 8. An Angel Tree will also be up at the Indiana Historical Society's Festival of Trees from November 16 through December 8.
- Make a donation: If you don’t have time to shop, you can still donate and we will take care of the Christmas shopping for you! http://salvationarmyindiana.org/indiana/angeltree
- Volunteer: As you can imagine, it will take hundreds of volunteers to pull this off! Sign up to volunteer here: http://salvationarmyindiana.org/indiana/volunteer
About The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army, an evangelical part of the universal Christian church, has been supporting those in need in His name without discrimination since 1865. Nearly 30 million Americans receive assistance from The Salvation Army each year through a broad array of social services that include providing food for the hungry, relief for disaster victims, assistance for the disabled, outreach to the elderly and ill, clothing and shelter to the homeless and opportunities for underprivileged children. About 82 cents of every dollar raised is used to support those services in nearly 5,000 communities nationwide.