The Longview Salvation Army’s warehouse on Cotton Street was filled with toys, bicycles, clothes and more Wednesday morning, all ready for families to take home. The nonprofit organization’s annual Angel Tree program was underway. Since 1931, the program has given children and senior citizens what they want and need at Christmastime.
Families in need sign up, and children and seniors — the “angels” — give the Salvation Army a list of three items they want and one item they need. Their lists are hung on Christmas trees at the Longview Mall and local Walmart stores in Gregg and Harrison counties, where shoppers can choose which lists they’d like to fulfill. They purchase the items and leave them at the Angel Tree location.
Once the goods are brought to the Salvation Army warehouse, they’re sorted and grouped for volunteers to distribute to families in a drive-thru fashion. The Salvation Army also receives donations for the program. This year, the program served about 1,000 “angels,” said Longview Salvation Army Capt.
Tamara Robb. “We couldn’t do it without the community’s support, so we’re very, very appreciative,” Robb said. Cars lined up early Wednesday along Cotton Street before wrapping around the Salvation Army warehouse.
Patricia and Michael Johnson waited for volunteers to bring them pajamas, towels and bed sheets that they would give to Patricia’s 92-year-old mother. “It means a lot,” Patricia Johnson said. “It really helps out.
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