'To have our 6 kids in this country, it's the biggest blessing:' Angel Tree family from Venezuela share migration story
Adrian Montilla said this Christmas is one his family is looking forward to because all six of his children will be able to be at their new rental home in Kissimmee after spending about two years living in different hotels.
โItโs so hard to put into words:โ For volunteers on Salvation Army Angel Tree Day, emotions run deep
As the sun came up over Central Florida, thousands of white bags filled with Christmas gifts waited at the Salvation Armyโs joy center โ gifts that will bring smiles to families in need this holiday season.
โItโs a great blessing:โ Angel Tree distribution takes on new meaning in 2020
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 wouldnโt have anything to open Christmas morning. โWhen I first came to Florida, I had nothing and so Salvation Army helped me,โ said volunteer Maureen Campana. Jessie Chapman, Orlando area commander for The Salvation Army, said the training process this year for distribution day wasnโt an easy feat. This year has been a really, really hard year,โ said a woman named Edith.
Pandemic makes Angel Tree distribution day even more meaningful this year
ORLANDO, Fla. โ The spirit of Christmas came alive during the Salvation Armyโs 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. โOur biggest challenge is re-training everyone even me,โ Captain Jessie Chapman, commander for the Orlando Salvation Army said.
3 mothers receive holiday help from Salvation Army Angel Tree program
ORLANDO, Fla. โ 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. โ(My friend) lost her job, too, but Christmas is for the kids, and we are doing the best thing that we can do,โ Rojas said.
6-year-old girl spends vacation volunteering for Angel Tree
ORLANDO, Fla. โ At the age of 6, Isabella Hermosilla was the youngest volunteer helping out during distribution day for the Salvation Armyโs 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. โGod delivered, our community delivered, and itโs going to be a Merry Christmas in Orlando,โ Chapman said.
Altamonte Springs boy donates to Angel Tree program, Salvation Army surprises him
ORLANDO, Fla. โ It was on Giving Tuesday two weeks ago when Joseph Ackerman, 11, caught our eye during the News 6 Angel Tree phone bank. โHonestly, I didnโt really want anything and also I want everybody to have a good Christmas, so I donated my money,โ he said. Ken Chapman from the Salvation Army gave Joseph a big thank you. And that wasnโt 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.
Mother and daughter donate Christmas stockings for Angel Tree program
ORLANDO, Fla. โ 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. โI really enjoy it like I enjoy looking for that special thing that treat.
News 6 viewers donate $211,478 to fund Christmas presents for children, seniors
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.
Angel Tree program expands after News 6 viewers help raise $211,478
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/.
Foster parents seek help from Angel Tree program ahead of the holidays
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, itโs still not enough which is why they are reaching out to the Salvation Armyโs 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 sheโs trying to apply for other jobs but in the meantime, sheโs volunteering at the Salvation Army. To learn more about the Angel Tree program and how you can help, visit ClickOrlando.com/angeltree.
Help for the holidays: News 6 teams up for Angel Tree program
ORLANDO, Fla. โ 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 โAdopt an Angelโ 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:
Salvation Army Angel Tree program needs new location to distribute, process gifts
ORLANDO, Fla. โ 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. โSomebody cares and at least on this day, youโre going to eat a good meal and youโre going to have a Merry Christmas.โTo adopt an angel or donate, visit SalvationArmyOrlando.org.
โThis has been an unpredictable year:โ Orlando church helps fill stockings for Angel Tree program
ORLANDO, Fla. โ 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 Armyโs 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.
Navy veteran serves his community through Salvation Army
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.