PRINCETON, W.Va. – Families in need are celebrating Christmas a little earlier, thanks to the community.
The Salvation Army held its annual Angel Tree Distribution.
This is the time of year when families in need schedule an appointment and pull up to the Salvation Army building, where workers and volunteers provide food certificates and gifts for the family — all generously donated by the local community.
We spoke with Sergeant Melissa White, the core administrator for the Salvation Army, who has been with the organization for about 12 years.
She shared the joy she feels for this special day and the overwhelming community support.
“It’s why I do what I do. I received gifts from this very church when I was four years old that made me fall in love with the Salvation Army when I lived on 5th Street,” said White. “So, knowing that we are giving back like I was given to, means everything to me. I just want to make sure they know how much we appreciate. They went above and beyond what they have ever done in providing for the community this year on their Christmas effort.”
On average, the Salvation Army gifts around 300 to 400 items per year, but this year, thanks to community donations, they were able to distribute approximately 800 gifts.
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