Angels are taken under someone’s wings
Published 7:26 pm Wednesday, November 7, 2012
The Salvation Army hosted a radiothon Wednesday outside the Selma-Dallas County Library in an effort to get as many angels adopted for their annual Angel Tree program. Major Steve Welch and volunteer Laura Beth Boyd were two of the many who have been supporting the program. Fuzion 100.1 and WHBB radio broadcasted the Army’s need for angel sponshorships throughout the day.
Fuzion 100.1 and WHBB Radio teamed up with the Salvation Army and held a radiothon Wednesday at the Selma-Dallas County Public Library to entice as many people as possible to sponsor an angel this Christmas season.
As a result the Salvation Army’s Angel Tree program has 305 area children who will now have something under their Christmas tree on Dec. 25.
Maj. Steve Welch of the Salvation Army said as long as there’s still an angel left on the tree, he will be urging people to adopt or sponsor an angel. The program put 520 angels on the tree, and as of Wednesday night 215 remain hanging on its branches.
“One of the good things about the Angel Tree program is people have the opportunity to buy something the child actually wants,” Welch said. “If we didn’t do it this way, then we would have to guess and just get them an age appropriate toy.”
Along with many individuals, local businesses also showed their support for the program and sponsored—in some cases—up to 50 angels.
“We are very, very thankful for them,” said Laura Beth Boyd, Salvation Army volunteer. Swift Drug Company, BankTrust, Orrville Baptist Church and Selmont Service Center were just a few that sponsored a handful of angels.
After all the angels have sponsors and all gifts have been purchased, Welch said parents can pick up presents at the Old National Guard Armory Dec. 14.
“We have the parents come pick the presents up without their children,” Welch said. “That way the children don’t even know who bought the presents and the parents can give them away as if they’re from Santa. It’s entirely up to the parents.”
George Henry with Fuzion 100.1 said he was impressed with how many individuals and businesses responded to the radiothon and sponsored one angel or more.
“The day’s been going really well,” Henry said. “We’ve had a good number of businesses come by and get angels, but as long as there’s one angel on that tree, we’ll need more sponsors.”
Donations are also accepted in place of a sponsorship. The Salvation Army asks that a $50 donation be made.
“For most children this will be their only present on Christmas,” Welch said. “So it’s important that all these angels are sponsored.”
For more information on the program, call 872-1646.
