The Salvation Army Angel Tree Program - Special Needs Children
Thanks to your generous support the Salvation Army assisted thousands of men, women and especially children this past Christmastime. In addition to providing new toys and clothing for children the Army also brought Christmas Cheer to many special needs children and their families.
These children were referred to us through
a variety of different avenues and have to
meet the same criteria that
other Christmas applicants must meet. Various agencies throughout
the community have referred names/clients to us that were special needs
population. What we did in turn is on a case by case basis interview
them and see what the pressing needs of the family is that they could not
meet. Many of these families require one of the parents to give up
working to provide for the needs of the special needs child which in turn
requires the family many financial hardships and difficulties. Do
to the financial difficulties, they are not always able to have extra to
spend on some items that may help them with therapy or other related items
that make a positive impact on the child at large.
For example....one child is needing
a safe room because he hits his head on walls as a result of his illness.
We were able to purchase wall padding that mom asked for so it does
not injure his head.
...another child is in leg braces and parents
requested that we purchase the shoes needed to fit braces since they were
so expensive and that is what the child really needs.
...another child has to wear adult diapers
and is allergic to all but one kind. These are expensive for the
family to keep purchasing and we were able to purchase her a supply of
diapers for her child.
...another child was paralyzed and could only
move thumbs. While being completely normal in mental capacity, she
cannot function and use normal children items. We were able to provide
her an iPod touch so that she can read, play games, and download music
just like normal kids and use it all through using her thumbs.
...another child's therapy uses interactive
games and to continue therapy at home was a burden since the interactive
game was expensive, we were able to help family to purchase the interactive
game that the child needs to continue their therapy at home.
Click the links below to learn more about how the Salvation Army is changing lives for the good.
CADEN
ELENA
HAYDEN
HUNTER
JOSIA
NICOLE