Zanesville Salvation Army has over 750 angels this year

ZANESVILLE, Ohio–The Salvation Army in Zanesville has put together over 750 angels or gift bundles for their annual angel tree fundraiser.

Angel tags can be seen on trees in stores like Walmart and CVS throughout the holiday season. Each tag has a list of items a child wants, but it’s up to the community to come together to buy the gifts. Envoy George Bates says the community is the biggest supporter of the program.

“The kids have listed their wishes [on the angel card], and people go purchase [the gifts], bring it in and we organize it all here and take it over into the gym. On distribution day, which was yesterday and today, people come in and pick up their angels and food boxes,” Bates said.

There is an overflow room with toys donated from community organizations, so even if a child doesn’t receive the gifts they wanted, they at least have something. Bates says every child receives an angel so that everyone wakes up Christmas morning with presents under the tree.

“We just want to be a blessing to the community and with the support of the community,” Bates said. “That’s our goal to make sure every kid wakes up and has a great Christmas.”

Although donations to the angel tree have closed, the red kettle fundraiser is continuing through this Saturday.

Story was submitted by WHIZ intern Alison Patton.