NASHVILLE, TENN - The Salvation Army Nashville Area Command is kicking off its annual Angel Tree Christmas assistance program that will start with client applications on October 4th, 2011.
Founders of the Angel Tree program, Lt. Colonels Charles and Shirley White, have returned to Nashville for their retirement and have graciously offered to lead The Salvation Army as Area Commanders.
"We started the Angel Tree program back in the late 1970's in Lynchburg, Virginia and when we were transferred to Nashville in 1982 we brought the successful program with us. It was the Nashville community where Angel Tree received so much support from the community. It is now an International program of The Salvation Army," explained Lt. Col. Charles White. "In the Christmas season ahead, thousands of generous Greater Nashvillians will purchase and donate more than 95,000 toys, clothing items and Kroger Food Angel gift cards. The Salvation Army will distribute those blessings to thousands of young children and senior citizens, but we need the community's financial support to make it all happen."
Angel Tree Registration:
Clients are invited to register for Angel Tree assistance at any of our locations listed in the attached Registration Guidelines document. Please note registrants must live in the zip codes noted or in the town the service unit is located. Specifically, the Nashville Area Command will begin accepting applications at our Angel Tree Warehouse, located on 700 Cowan Street, Nashville, TN 37207 beginning Tuesday, October 4th and interviewing through Friday, October 21st. Registration hours are: Monday through Friday 9:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. and Thursday evenings 5:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. The Salvation Army serves children up to 12 years and elderly over 65. Adults with disabilities between the ages of 12 and 65 may register for a Kroger food card. Please visit our website for more detailed guidelines.
Angel Tree Mall Adoptions:
Angel Trees will appear in the malls listed below on Saturday, November 12th. Shoppers can "Adopt an Angel" through December 3rd. All gifts must be returned by December 3rd.
The Salvation Army Angel Trees will be up inside Cool Springs Galleria, RiverGate, Hickory Hollow and The Mall at Green Hills beginning on Saturday, November 12th. Shoppers are invited to stop by our booths to adopt an angel for Christmas and make the holidays brighter for a child or senior citizen. All gifts must be returned by December 3rd. Distribution of the Angel Tree gifts will take place December 16, 19, and 20th.
Forgotten Angel Tree:
The Salvation Army Nashville Area Command has partnered with Daily's Convenience Stores to add to our Christmas Angel Tree Assistance program a Forgotten Angels Shop. Of the 15,000 angels expected to register for Angel Tree, as many as 5,000 may end up unadopted. To ensure that each special angel receives Christmas assistance, we have created a forgotten angels shop. Look for our 'Forgotten Angel' trees in all Daily's Markets.
Kroger Food Angels:
Kroger and WSMV - Channel 4 have partnered to provide The Salvation Army Food Angel program. This holiday season while you are shopping in Kroger, be sure to pick up a Kroger Food Angel off the tree, located in front of the stores. You can provide a holiday dinner for an Angel Tree Family by simply taking a Food Angel tag to the cash register; the cashier will scan it and $25.00 will be added to your grocery bill. Know that your donation goes to a family in the form of a direct Kroger Gift card valued at $25.00 which can help provide several meals for a family this holiday.
Angels on the Air:
Mix 92.9 and Waller Lansden Dortch & Davis LLP presents "Angels on the Air" this holiday season. While listening to Mix 92.9 FM folks will have the opportunity to call in and adopt angels. The morning crew - Anna, Kim and Clint- in addition to their other around-the-clock DJ's - will daily read several specific angels' needs on air so that loyal listeners will have opportunity to adopt over 800 angels this year.
Angel Tree Distribution:
Angel Tree distribution will take place December 16th, 19th and 20th, were 85 families every half hour will come to the Angel Tree Warehouse, located at 700 Cowan Street, Nashville, to pick up their holiday gifts between 9:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Adopt a Family pickups will be held on December 21st from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
More Information:
For more information about The Salvation Army Angel Tree Christmas Assistance programs, please contact Jennifer Eldridge at 615-242-0411 or email Jennifer_Eldridge@uss.salvationarmy.org. If you would like to volunteer your time to assist with registering families, manning an Angel Tree booth in the malls or working in the Angel Tree warehouse, please contact Misty Ratcliff at 615-242-0411 or email Misty_Ratcliff@uss.salvationarmy.org.
For more information, contact The Salvation Army at 242-0411. Follow our updates on Twitter (@SalArmy), Facebook (The Salvation Army - Nashville), or on our blog at www.salarmynashville.wordpress.com.
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About Angel Tree
Angel Tree gives individuals and partnering corporations an opportunity to adopt less fortunate children, seniors and disabled adults and provide personalized gifts and necessities to those who would otherwise receive very little or nothing during the holiday season. Donors can be confident that their gifts go directly, and without excessive overhead, to those who are truly needy since all Salvation Army Angels are not served by other holiday assistance programs.
In 1979, Angel Tree was created by Salvation Army Officers, Lt. Colonels Charles and Shirley White in Lynchburg, Virginia.
About the Salvation Army
The Salvation Army, an evangelical part of the universal Christian church established in 1865, has been supporting those in need in His name without discrimination for 128 years in the United States. Nearly 29 million Americans receive assistance from The Salvation Army each year through the broadest array of social services in 5,000 communities that range from providing food for the hungry, relief for disaster victims, assistance for the disabled, outreach to the elderly and ill, clothing and shelter to the homeless and opportunities for underprivileged children. Its mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination. Visit us on-line to learn more or to make a donation. www.salvationarmyusa.org.