LAFAYETTE, La. (KLFY) -- 'Twas a few nights before Christmas, on "Distribution Eve," Salvation Army volunteers worked together, to prepare gifts for the annual Angel Tree.
Capt. Bruce Williams with The Salvation Army said every year for Christmas, volunteers help with the Angel Tree Adoption Program. The Salvation Army gives individuals, churches, and companies, little angles with a list of children, families, and elderly people who are in need to receive gifts donated to them.
"Over the past two weeks is we've had an ingathering of those gifts and we've sorted them by child and by family. And what you see here on the floor is each of these large bags is for a family," Williams said.
Williams said families who sign up-will be given a bag with needed items and gifts that were on their wish list. He said being able to help as many families as possible is truly amazing because there are so many in need.
"You know, these are hard times where people have to make some really hard choices. Things like, do I pay the rent? You know, do I pay the utilities and put food on the table, or is there, you know, funds left for, you know, having Christmas gifts? So that's the gap we stand in and where we're able to help the families that sign up with us."
He said this year's Angel Tree Adoption Program has seen a record number of gifts being donated, and he believes it's Acadiana's giving spirit.
Williams said in addition to gift donations, The Salvation Army accepts monetary donations as a way operate throughout the entire year.
