ANGEL TREE

As the sun came up over Central Florida, thousands of white bags filled with Christmas gifts waited at the Salvation Army’s joy center — gifts that will bring smiles to families in need this holiday season.

Believe it or not, planning for the Salvation Army's Angel Tree program starts way before you think.

Toni Cross, a single mother of four, said this is the year she really is counting on the Salvation Army’s Angel Tree program so her kids can wake up to gifts on Christmas Day.

As the big day for Angel Tree distribution nears, the Salvation Army is still in need of volunteers.

An oncology social worker made a stop at the Salvation Army HQ to find help for a family she works with.

Alejandra Ramirez, 6, is known for her fun personality and her love for her family, though her strongest suit is her bravery.

A Central Florida couple is speaking about why they helped the Salvation Army raise a record amount of money for its Angel Tree program.

When you look at Tim Mack, you probably see a resemblance to Jolly Old Saint Nick, but at the Salvation Army, he’s known as the senior who steps in to help.

The Salvation Army kicked off its Red Kettle campaign at ICON Park on Saturday with its area commander riding the Wheel for 10 hours.

It's that time of year again!

Almestica's gift was sent by the Angel Tree program of Prison Fellowship, a nonprofit which partners with churches and volunteers to host toy drives and deliver gifts to children on behalf of their incarcerated parents. Angel Tree, Almestica said, helped strengthen a bond with his mother, who died when he was young. Some churches organize Christmas parties where volunteers deliver gifts to children with personalized notes from their incarcerated parents. Angel Tree gifts were “an affirmation of my dad’s love, my dad’s constant thinking of me,” she said. “The Angel Tree gift is just the icing on the cake.”The Salvation Army also has a program that sends Christmas gifts to children on behalf of their incarcerated parents in Minnesota and North Dakota.

Almestica's gift was sent by the Angel Tree program of Prison Fellowship, a nonprofit which partners with churches and volunteers to host toy drives and deliver gifts to children on behalf of their incarcerated parents. Angel Tree, Almestica said, helped strengthen a bond with his mother, who died when he was young. Some churches organize Christmas parties where volunteers deliver gifts to children with personalized notes from their incarcerated parents. Angel Tree gifts were “an affirmation of my dad’s love, my dad’s constant thinking of me,” she said. “The Angel Tree gift is just the icing on the cake.”The Salvation Army also has a program that sends Christmas gifts to children on behalf of their incarcerated parents in Minnesota and North Dakota.

During the holidays, some faith groups and congregations across the United States work to bring some Christmas cheer—and connection—to prisoners and their children.

Wednesday is Angel Tree distribution day at the Joy Center and families stopped by to collect the many gifts donated by the Central Florida community.

Thousands of gifts will be distributed Wednesday as part of the Angel Tree program, spreading holiday cheer to children and seniors around Central Florida.

It’s beginning to look a lot like Santa’s workshop with thousands of toys donated to the Salvation Army’s Angel Tree program.

ICON Park is wheeling in the holiday season with The Salvation Army’s fourth annual Donation Rotation, according to an official release.

News 6 Anchors Julie Broughton and Lisa Bell took their kids Angel Tree shopping with them to get results for their Angels this year.

Mike Russell, 41, is finally home with his wife Kathryn and his two daughters Hannah, 4, and Brianna, 9.

Teens using Instagram and Tik Tok are trying to get the community to help the Salvation Army.

More than $310,000 was raised on Giving Tuesday during a News 6 phone bank for the Salvation Army Angel Tree program.

The woman passed away before she was able to fill out the Angel Tree paperwork.

With the wind off of the Atlantic all weekend, expect periods of showers and downpours, highest for the first of the day Saturday. Highs under mainly cloudy skies top out in the mid-to-upper 70s Saturday.

Over a few cups of coffee, donuts and laughs, seniors at the Salvation Army in Orlando explained why the Angel Tree program is important and what it means to them during this time of year.

News 6 and BFARR Contracting are teaming up with The Salvation Army for the annual Angel Tree program.

Shannon Wilcox, manager of Port Hole restaurant in Port Orange, said she was shocked when Karl Ellison shared his generosity with less fortunate families.

Scenes from the Dec. 16, 2020 Salvation Army Angel Tree distribution day on Orange Avenue in Orlando as families pick up their gifts. Year after year, the Central Florida community shows its support for the Salvation Army Angel Tree program by buying gifts for those who otherwise wouldn’t have anything to open Christmas morning. “When I first came to Florida, I had nothing and so Salvation Army helped me,” said volunteer Maureen Campana. Jessie Chapman, Orlando area commander for The Salvation Army, said the training process this year for distribution day wasn’t an easy feat. This year has been a really, really hard year,” said a woman named Edith.

ORLANDO, Fla. – The spirit of Christmas came alive during the Salvation Army’s Angel Tree distribution day at the Joy Center in Orlando on Wednesday. This year the annual event meant more to some because of economic hardships tied to the coronavirus pandemic. Thousands of families and seniors will receive gifts thanks to the kindness of the Central Florida community. When I first came to Florida, I had nothing, and so Salvation Army helped me. “Our biggest challenge is re-training everyone even me,” Captain Jessie Chapman, commander for the Orlando Salvation Army said.

ORLANDO, Fla. – Hundreds of cars lined up outside the former Orlando Sentinel building in downtown Orlando on Wednesday, waiting for assistance from the Salvation Army. Adams said she believes the long line was the result of more people needing help this year, a notion confirmed by the Salvation Army. Cars waited in line along Magnolia Avenue on Wednesday as the Salvation Army delivered gifts at a drive-through event. As part of its annual Angel Tree program, 1,000 more children were adopted by members of the public who purchased toys, clothes and other gifts for them. “(My friend) lost her job, too, but Christmas is for the kids, and we are doing the best thing that we can do,” Rojas said.

ORLANDO, Fla. – At the age of 6, Isabella Hermosilla was the youngest volunteer helping out during distribution day for the Salvation Army’s Angel Tree program, which provides gifts to those in need. Isabella and her family, of Colombia, are visiting Orlando for the holidays with her family. Her mother said they found about the Angel Tree event and they wanted to give back by helping. Full Screen Full Screen 1 / 22 Scenes from the Dec. 16, 2020 Salvation Army Angel Tree distribution day on Orange Avenue in Orlando as families pick up their gifts. “God delivered, our community delivered, and it’s going to be a Merry Christmas in Orlando,” Chapman said.

ORLANDO, Fla. – It was on Giving Tuesday two weeks ago when Joseph Ackerman, 11, caught our eye during the News 6 Angel Tree phone bank. “Honestly, I didn’t really want anything and also I want everybody to have a good Christmas, so I donated my money,” he said. Ken Chapman from the Salvation Army gave Joseph a big thank you. And that wasn’t all, Chapman surprised Joseph with a brand new bike after a donor heard about his generosity. And with that said, Joseph wanted to sign off with his own special message to all.

ORLANDO, Fla. – Christine Dathe is along time volunteer at the Salvation Army along with her teenage daughter, Megan. This year, they are donating dozens of Christmas stockings to boys and girls in need. Dathe volunteered during the Angel Tree distribution day last year which motivated her family to help out even more. They are even thinking of donating bikes to the Angel Tree program this time around. “I really enjoy it like I enjoy looking for that special thing that treat.

The annual program started last month with the goal of adopting 5,000 angels, including 4,000 children from infants to 14 year olds, in Orange and Osceola counties. The other 1,000 angels are seniors who might not have a Christmas if it were not for donations. By 8 p.m., News 6 viewers had donated $187,000, and after adding in online donations, the number increased to $211,478. Angel Tree supports families like this Orlando couple raising an 8-year-old and two foster children suffering financial hardships due to the pandemic. To see a full list of locations, click here and to adopt an Angel click here.

On Wednesday, volunteers with the Salvation Army worked hard to get results for kids and seniors in need. On Giving Tuesday, News 6 viewers helped raise more than $187,000 during a day-long phone bank for the Angel Tree program. Chapman said the funds raised Tuesday will be used to help out even more families struggling to put gifts under the Christmas tree, including children who are not registered in the Angel Tree program. Chapman said the Salvation Army is in need of more volunteers to help at the Joy Center. If interested, you can reach out to the Salvation Army Orlando for more information at https://salvationarmyflorida.org/orlando/.

She lost her job in the spring right when the pandemic hit and ever since, things have not been easy. While her husband is working to support their family, it’s still not enough which is why they are reaching out to the Salvation Army’s Angel Tree program this year for help. And she understands, they are not the only family going through this ahead of the holidays. His mother told us she’s trying to apply for other jobs but in the meantime, she’s volunteering at the Salvation Army. To learn more about the Angel Tree program and how you can help, visit ClickOrlando.com/angeltree.

ORLANDO, Fla. – News 6 and Seacoast Bank are teaming up with The Salvation Army for the annual Angel Tree program. To keep everyone safe, you can adopt your Angel virtually this year and in person at participating locations. Visit SalvationArmyOrlando.org and click on the Angel Tree tab from the menu bar. Click the “Adopt an Angel” button to be re-routed directly to the angel adoption site for Orange and Osceola counties. Participating Walmart Angel Tree LocationsWalmart Supercenter ORLANDO (PRINCETON), FL 3101 W PRINCETON ST Walmart Supercenter ORLANDO FL 2500 S KIRKMAN RD Walmart Supercenter ORLANDO (UNION PARK) FL 11250 E COLONIAL DR Walmart Supercenter ORLANDO (TURKEY LAKE), FL 8990 TURKEY LAKE RD Walmart Supercenter ORLANDO (SW) FL 8101 S JOHN YOUNG PKWY Walmart Supercenter ORLANDO (NARCOOSSEE), FL 5991 S GOLDENROD RD Walmart Supercenter ORLANDO FL 11930 NARCOOSSEE ROAD Walmart Supercenter ORLANDO (OAK RIDGE), FL 5734 S. ORANGE BLOSSOM TRL Walmart Supercenter OCOEE FL 10500 W COLONIAL DR Walmart Supercenter WINTER GARDEN FL 16313 NEW INDEPENDENCE PARKWAY Walmart Supercenter KISSIMMEE (E), FL 1471 E OSCEOLA PKWY Walmart Supercenter KISSIMMEE, FL 3250 VINELAND RD Walmart Supercenter KISSIMMEE FL 4444 W VINE ST Walmart Supercenter ORLANDO LAKE WILSON FL 2855 N Old Lake Wilson Road Walmart Supercenter KISSIMMEE FL 904 CYPRESS PKWY Walmart Supercenter SAINT CLOUD FL 4400 13TH STParticipating Chick-fil-A pickup locations:

ORLANDO, Fla. – The Salvation Army is giving an update on changes to their Angel Tree campaign as the pandemic has forced an increase in demand for services. At the same time, the Salvation Army is also facing several difficulties. One of the most urgent needs for the nonprofit is finding a new location to process and distribute gifts. After losing its previous processing location at the old Orlando Sentinel building on Orange Avenue, the Angel Tree program is seeking corporate partnerships to provide a new space and to help with angel adoption. “Somebody cares and at least on this day, you’re going to eat a good meal and you’re going to have a Merry Christmas.”To adopt an angel or donate, visit SalvationArmyOrlando.org.

ORLANDO, Fla. – An Orlando church is making sure thousands of Central Florida children and seniors will have stockings for the holidays. Elevation Church is partnering with the Salvation Army and filling 2,000 stockings for its Angel Tree program. According to the Salvation Army’s website, officials are anticipating a much higher need for services of the Angel Tree program this year because of the COVID-19 pandemic. For Buzyan, helping the Salvation Army is personal. Click or tap here for more information about the Angel Tree program and to learn how you can donate.

For the past 24 years, the grandfather of three has been volunteering for the Salvation Army. When asked what the organization means to him he had this to say:"It means salvation for one through Jesus Christ. "And the Salvation Army, we're saved to serve, so that's what we do." A servant who has also seen tears of joy during the Salvation Armys Angel Tree event, where families less fortunate receive gifts donated by the community for Christmas. Carr said he appreciates the recognition, but is happiest when hes in the background, just serving the community he loves.