Salvation Army Seeks Help Providing Christmas Gifts to More Than 2,100 People in Baton Rouge, Louisiana

The Salvation Army of Greater Baton Rouge is asking the community to help provide Christmas gifts for more than 2,100 children and seniors in need this holiday season. The organization’s annual Angel Tree program has begun, and organizers say 2,114 children and seniors are expected to receive help this year.

Community members can adopt an “angel” and buy gifts for a child in need. Each angel has a Christmas wish list that donors can use to buy new clothing and toys. Seniors in the program will receive grocery store gift cards instead.

Sgt. Tyrone Rogers, Corps Officer of The Salvation Army of Greater Baton Rouge, said the area has historically been generous at this time of year. “Baton Rouge has always been the most generous this time of year in giving gifts so that children within our community can have a magical Christmas,” Rogers said. “We are asking everyone to consider adopting an angel this year so that no child or senior in need gets left out.”

The Salvation Army said many families in Baton Rouge are struggling and often have to choose between paying bills and buying Christmas gifts. “It’s clear that many families across our 10-parish service area are still in need,” Rogers said.

After shopping, donors should return the gifts along with their angel’s wish list tag to The Salvation Army. Volunteers and staff will organize the gifts by family and distribute them to parents and caregivers the weekend before Christmas, a practice of sharing with households in need (Isaiah 58:7). Rogers said more angels remain to be adopted. “We have plenty of angels that need to be adopted,” he said. “We know that the Greater Baton Rouge community will come through for us, just like they always have.”

The organization is also expanding its holiday outreach through its Hope for the Holidays campaign. The initiative works with churches and public offices in rural areas, which host Christmas workshops where families can choose toys and clothes for their children. Those who want to support the effort can buy items through The Salvation Army’s Walmart Registry.

Source: Read the original report