Angel Tree Campaign Begins in Meridian

These two tots can’t wait to open their presents come Christmas morning.

“In exchange for donating the requested item, each ornament on the tree is a gift for the Angel to keep to bring home for their tree, or to wrap up to share the sentiment with that hard-to-buy-for-person on their list”, Masini Pieralli says. All Angel gifts should be returned (unwrapped and with the Angel tag attached) to the library on or before December 17th, so the gifts can be distributed before Christmas.

People in Independence County can pick out a name from an Angel Tree list at several locations including the main branches of Centennial Bank, Citizens Bank, First Community Bank, Southern Bank, Merchants and Planters Bank and Anytime Fitness.

This year there is a need for presents for teenagers.

The gift are given to families who need assistance during the festive season.

“Being able to help families with Christmas gifts and food means people can still plan and budget for other costs such as back to school expenses that ultimately avoids going into debt”.

“The holidays can often add an extra financial burden to those families that may be already be struggling to make ends meet”, Jensen said.

Kmart Botany manager, Doug Thompson, said he is proud of the longstanding history of the appeal and the way families use the appeal to instil the joy of giving as well as receiving at all ages.

Kmart Hastings mixed the old with the new as they rang in the Christmas season yesterday at the launch of the annual Kmart Wishing Tree appeal. “This is accomplished through partnerships with Western Community Action and The Salvation Army, as well as many businesses, organizations and individuals”.

The Salvation Army’s Kidz Matter 2 Us and Tea & Toys playgroup sang Christmas carols.

Kmart urges the community to get behind the Appeal and invites you to join the launch day activities.

People can place an unwrapped gift under the wishing tree in a Kmart store or collect a bauble from the wishing tree to make a donation.