59 Franklin County families receive gifts through Salvation Army’s Angel Tree Program

Since it was founded in London, England, in 1865, the Salvation Army has reached around the globe with its ministry with its mission to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination.

And once again this year, that reach extends into Franklin County with the Salvation Army’s Angel Tree program, a collaboration with several businesses with the goal of allowing every child to feel the wonder of Christmas.

The Angel Tree program provides new clothing and toys to more than one million children in need each year.

On Thursday, Angel Tree gifts were distributed to Franklin County families in need, allowing parents and grandparents to place these gifts under the family Christmas tree to create joy in their children Christmas morning while preserving their dignity.

Donations were presented to local families at Russellville First Methodist Church Ministry Center, with the assistance of students from the Franklin County SPAN Program and several church volunteers. 

59 Franklin County families received Angel Tree gifts this year, and for the first time, they didn’t have to travel to Florence to pick them up.

“We get a great response from Franklin County and with support from volunteers like Shelia, we had almost 60 families participate in the Angel Tree Program here in Franklin County this year,” Lt. Michelle Cook said. 

“ Our Women’s Auxiliary processed all the Angel Tree gifts at our office in Florence and with First Methodist Church’s willingness to host the distribution, we were able to make it easier for people in Franklin County so they did not have to go to Florence to pick up their gifts.

Sacks of gifts given to local families through the Salvation Army’s Angel Tree program filled the floor of the Russellville First Methodist Church Ministry Center.

“I appreciate the support of Sheila, the staff and volunteers of First Methodist Church and the student volunteers who helped today,” Lt. Cook added. “We have families coming from Russellville, Red Bay and Phil Campbell so this was much more convenient for them.”

And there were some familiar Franklin County faces volunteering this year as Bell Ringers for the Salvation Army’s Red Kettle located at the Russellville Walmart, including Rocky and Ginger Stone, who have served as volunteer Bell Ringers each week since the Thanksgiving holiday.

Once a child is selected as an Angel, tags with that child’s wish list are placed on the Angel Tree inside Publix and other stores. Donors simply select a tag and shop for that child, helping bring each child’s Christmas wishes to life.

Gifts may also be purchased online through the some retail stores’ mobile applications. In those cases, gifts are shipped directly to the local Salvation Army for distribution. Gifts are donated unwrapped in store collection bins or directly at the Salvation Army office in Florence.

Located at 1601 Huntsville Road in Florence, the office is led by Corps Officers Lt. Timothy Cook and Lt. Michelle Cook. A food pantry offers free non-perishable foods for families in need, and  the Salvation Army also operates a thrift store in Florence, located downtown at 205 North Court St., where you’ll find affordable furniture, clothing and household items for sale.

It’s a ministry that relies on local support from volunteers like Shelia Upchurch of Russellville, a member of the Salvation Army’s Women’s Auxiliary, a dedicated group of volunteers who raise funds for the Salvation Army’s ministry.

“The Salvation Army is a wonderful organization who helps people across the world and now we’re seeing more families right here at home receiving support from the Salvation Army’s ministry. It’s something I believe in and that’s why I joined the Women’s Auxiliary,” Upchurch said. 

More than 36.8 million Americans were classified as living in poverty in 2023, representing more than 11% of our nation’s population. And in that same calendar year, the Salvation Army provided holiday assistance to 2.48 million people.

The Salvation Army’s holiday assistance isn’t just through the Angel Tree program. Through initiatives including toy drives, meal distribution, and the food pantry, the ministry works to ensure everyone can enjoy the experience of the holidays.

For more information about the Salvation Army, its mission statement and a listing of its ministries, visit https://www.salvationarmyusa.org.