MERIDIAN, Miss. (Queen City Newsfeed) – As the holiday season approaches, many families are looking for ways to give back and spread some joy. One program that has been making a difference for over 40 years is the Salvation Army’s Angel Tree initiative.
Since 1979, the Angel Tree program has paired generous community members with children and elderly individuals who are in need, offering a unique opportunity to provide gifts and support during the holiday season.
“The families come in, they apply, they bring in their proof of income, expenses, ID and everything, we take those applications, we print the angels, and then they go out. Starting today, Nov. 4th they’re out at all of the Citizen’s National Banks in Meridian and in Philadelphia. Tomorrow afternoon they’ll be out at Uptown Meridian Mall at Center Court. Then, on the 16th all of the Super Walmarts,” said Lt. Roy Fisher with The Salvation Army Meridian.
Fisher said this program can be beneficial to all those involved.
“If you have children or grandchildren that are 0 to 12 years old, take them, let them pick an angel. Maybe even an angel that is their age. Let them be able to choose that angel and then let them go and choose the items,” said Fisher. “It’s so important to teach our children at a young age to give back. It’s not about.. Christmas is not about receiving it’s about giving.”
The Angel Tree Program is a big part of our local community here in Meridian, and a key partner in that program is Citizen’s National Bank.
“We have been involved with the Angel Tree of the Salvation Army for over 25 years. It is an honor and a privilege to be able to serve our community with the Salvation Army to help these under-served and under-privileged children receive a Christmas gift that they so well deserved” said Citizen’s National Bank Community Development Officer Tyeisha Smith.
“We love to support the Salvation Army. That’s one of our community partners, and we’ll have our team deployed in all areas of the community, ringing the bell, doing our part, and we love doing our part as well, but yeah, just anything we can do to support because we live and breath the power of local,” said Citizen’s National Bank Meridian Regional President Neil Henry.
Aa’Keela Hudnall is this year’s Salvation Army Spokesperson for the Holiday Season
She said the Angel Tree initiative and the Red Kettle Campaign go hand-in-hand.
“I really believe that God blesses us to be a blessing, and this helps us to do that, in a very practical and accessible way. We are always looking for volunteers for those kettles, so if anybody wants to serve and volunteer, contact us at the Salvation Army and bring a friend, bring a church group, again it just makes you feel good and do something meaningful,” said Hudnall.
“Making sure that a child wakes up to having gifts underneath the tree on Christmas morning. There’s so many kids that go without. With this program it’s a way for the community to get involved with that,” said Fisher.
