The Salvation Army’s Tree Angel Program is coming to a close, with all donations being due tomorrow.
El Dorado Salvation Army Capt. Elyshia Perdieu said they will provide Christmas gifts for over 439 children through the Angel Tree program this year in Union County.
“The Angel Tree Program is just to help families and children that need help providing Christmas to keep magic in the air for Christmas this season,” Perdieu said.
She added that the Angel Tree Program keeps the spirit alive for her.
Perdieu said they took applications the first two weeks of October from families who wanted to receive help through the Angel Tree Program. She said over 250 families brought applications to her.
Perdieu said different individuals and organizations have helped with the project and are making Christmas possible for low income families in El Dorado.
“All of our angels have been adopted out,” she said. “All of them have been taken, even the extra ones, the emergencies — they have been taken by individuals and companies.”
Although all of the angels have been taken off the the Salvation Army’s hands, there are still angels available on the Christmas tree at Healthworks Fitness Center, Perdieu said.
Perdieu said they will be accepting the Angel Tree gifts Saturday at their warehouse, located at the old El Dorado High School cafeteria from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Next week, they will be sorting and organizing all of the gifts to have them ready to disperse on Dec. 18.
“It’s organizations and individuals that help make Christmas happen for us — for El Dorado,” she said. “I just want to thank the community for keeping the spirit of Christmas alive in El Dorado.”
For more information on the Angel Tree Program, contact Perdieu at the El Dorado Salvation Army at 870-863-4830.
Kaitlyn Rigdon can be reached at 870-862-6611 or [email protected].