Angel Tree Program provides kids’ needs

On undecorated trees hang little white paper tags listing the name, age and Christmas wishes of a little boy or girl from Monongalia County.

Each tag displays their wishes, hopes and Christmas dreams. The Salvation Army’s Angel Tree Program exists because of these children.

As a child, most people can remember lying in bed on Christmas Eve in anticipation of the next day’s events: Eating fresh baked Christmas treats while gathered with family around the Christmas tree, opening presents and then indulging in a delicious dinner.

Unfortunately, for many families in Monongalia County, this ideal is nothing more than a scene from a Hallmark movie.

This year, more than 1,300 names are hanging on Angel Trees throughout Monongalia, Preston and Marion counties — just waiting to be selected by a passersby with hearts for giving. That is over 1,300 children who lie in bed worrying not about what Santa will be bringing them, but about how they will get their next meal and stay warm while waiting for the school bus.

The Angel Tree Program is about so much more than providing gifts so children have something to open on Christmas; it is about providing for their most basic needs.

“I love the Angel Tree program,” Lt. Nicole Greenland, commanding corps officer of the Morgantown Salvation Army Corps, said. “Not only because of the relief and joy I get to see from the parents when they pick up the gifts for their children, but because I get to hear from the people who adopted an angel. It is amazing how many kids just ask for a warm coat and shoes for Christmas presents. It is humbling, to say the least.”

For more information on how you can adopt a paper angel this year, call the corps at 304-296-3525.