In Johnson City, Tennessee, the spirit of giving was alive and well this past weekend as the Salvation Army orchestrated its annual Angel Tree distribution event. Over the course of Saturday and Sunday, the charity provided Christmas gifts to 777 children, ensuring that the holiday season would be a little brighter for families in need.

The Angel Tree Program is designed to support families by fulfilling children’s Christmas wishes. Each tag hanging on an Angel Tree represents a child, or “angel,” and lists the items they hope to receive, such as toys, clothes, and shoes. Generous shoppers choose a name tag and purchase these gifts, bringing joy to those who might otherwise go without.

This past Sunday evening, families of the Angel Tree children arrived at the Salvation Army by appointment to collect their gifts. Among these families was Emmie Ingley, a mother of three, who expressed her and her children’s excitement over the presents they received. The program’s impact is deeply felt, ensuring that the true spirit of Christmas reaches those who need it most.

Meanwhile, the community continues to mourn the loss of a beloved individual. A Tusculum lacrosse player, remembered as a “gentle giant,” tragically lost his life in a car accident on Friday. His memory serves as a poignant reminder of the fragility of life amid the joyful season of giving.

“I am so excited; I can’t be more blessed and thankful,” Ingley said. “My son asked for monster trucks, and he’s beyond excited, and then my other two; one wanted Minnie Mouse, and she’s super excited, and my youngest is only three months old, so she doesn’t quite understand what’s going on.”

Volunteers distributed each gift basket to cars via a drive-up process. Each family was given a number that corresponded to the information that they received with a postcard to pick up their gifts. Each bag was checked to ensure everything needed was included, and volunteers and staff brought them out to vehicles.

Cindy Shook, an annual Angel Tree shopper, said she was glad to be volunteering to distribute the gifts for the first time.

“It just fills my heart that we’re going to be able to serve a lot of kids today and just give them their gifts to open on Christmas morning,” Shook said.

Another volunteer, Dawn Taylor, brings her own children to help out every year. She said it was an honor to be involved in the distribution process.

“Angel Trees have always been important in our lives,” Taylor said. “My children help gather gifts together for people, and we never miss it; we never miss an Angel Tree.” 

Major R.C. Duskin, a Core Officer at the Salvation Army, said he’s thankful to all the volunteers who helped distribute the gifts this year so the children could open them on Christmas.

“The radical generosity of the community has just come in a big way in being able to distribute all the gifts that are here and ready to go out, yesterday and today,” Duskin said. ” We’re so grateful for the generosity of the community; we’re so grateful for the volunteers that have come alongside us to be able to make this happen.

To volunteer with the Salvation Army or donate, click here.