Angel giving: Gifts for Christmas
By Becky Barclay
Published in News on December 18, 2015 1:46 PM
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News-Argus/CASEY MOZINGO
Holden Jones, 16, picks up a couple of bicycles to give to needy families at the old fire station on East Ash Street Thursday. The bikes were donated to the Salvation Army for its Angel Tree Campaign. This is the third year Holden has volunteered at the distribution event.
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News-Argus/CASEY MOZINGO
Tony Williams Jr. loads up a box from the Salvation Army toy and food giveaway Thursday. The Angel Tree Campaign helps families that are struggling provide a better Christmas for their children.
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News-Argus/CASEY MOZINGO
Ronnie Chase helps give boxes away at the Salvation Army's Angel Tree Campaign toy and food giveaway Thursday.
Heidi Madrid could not hold back the tears Thursday when she saw the toys her daughter would have under the tree this Christmas because of the Salvation Army's Angel Tree program.
She supports 11-year-old Cynthia and herself on the $236 check she gets each month, while waiting for disability.
"I had an accident at work in 2008," she said. "I've had four surgeries on my shoulders. I have a brace on my ankle because my ankle bone is fused to my leg bone. I cannot work.
"I live in an apartment that goes off your income, but by the time I pay water, which is in with the trash and stuff, I have no money left. Sometimes I don't even buy medicine for myself so that I can buy a little bit of clothes, shampoo or soap for my daughter."
But thanks to the Salvation Army's Christmas program -- and the generosity of Wayne County residents -- Ms. Madrid's daughter will have Christmas after all this year.
"When I saw the bag of presents, I felt relieved that I could give my daughter something because she's what I call my miracle baby. I lost a baby before her. She helps me all the time. Just to be able to give her something in return just warms my heart."
Ms. Madrid said she thanks God for all the people who donated to the Salvation Army so her daughter and other children can have Christmas.
"Maybe one day, I can repay them somehow," she said.
Nicole Perez was also at the Christmas program distribution, held at the old fire station on Ash Street, to get some toys for her children, Karla Olan, 11, and Brenden Sluyter, 9.
Ms. Perez, her children and her boyfriend were living in a motel in Jefferson when it caught fire.
"We lost everything," she said. "I told my kids that we might not have anything, not even a Christmas tree this year, but at least we're thankful that we have a house this Christmas to live in."
Not only did each family get a bag full of toys -- and some a bike -- for the children, but they also received a box of food so they could have a holiday meal.
Each box contained canned goods and dry food, such as beans, corn, macaroni and cheese and more.
There was also frozen chicken in each food box.
"The chickens came from the Salvation Army in Henderson," said Lt. Phillip Stokes with the Wayne County Salvation Army. "The officer called and said they got 16,000 pounds of chicken donated. We went up there and got over 50 cases of chicken."
And there were even fresh apples from a donation of 1,500 apples.
Allen Williams, 48, was thrilled to see the unexpected box of food that will be his family's Christmas meal.
He was at the Christmas distribution because times are hard for his family. Although he is working, it's not enough to provide extras for Christmas for his children, Tyreese, 11, and Tishae, 7.
"I got a bike for my daughter," he said. "It was a total surprise that she was getting a bike. When I saw it, I had a big smile, all teeth. The only thing we thought we would get would be a toy for each of the kids. Even just that would have been a blessing. When I saw the bags of toys and the bike, I almost jumped out of my shoes. I thank God for this."
Tony and Shonda Williams picked up toys for their children, Tony Williams Jr., 5, Deondre, 3, and Kiauna, 2.
"We are destitute," Williams said. "I got laid off my job and couldn't afford Christmas for our kids. The Lord blessed us with some help with this program. We are so grateful for it."
These are just some of the stories that Salvation Army volunteers heard at the distribution Thursday. And it's why they do it.
Cirilo Perez, a criminal justice and criminology student at the University of Mount Olive, was one of those volunteers for the first time this year.
"I'm really into giving back and helping people," he said. "It was a good opportunity and a blessing to come and help people in need. It makes me feel good."
He said people were surprised to see the bags of toys they were getting for their children.
"It's something special, especially since it's for the kids," Perez said. "During the holidays not everyone has the same opportunities as others. Just the opportunity to give back is a great feeling and to let the kids have something during the holidays."
Lt. Sherrie Stokes said many weeks of work went into the Christmas program.
"We were down here at the warehouse three weeks working between eight and 10 hours a day Monday through Friday," she said.
"We do this because there are so many children and parents in our area that are in need of help. Some are burn out victims, some have lost jobs, some have serious health conditions. We heard today right many say that if it wasn't for the Salvation Army, they wouldn't have Christmas."
But Mrs. Stokes said the Salvation Army couldn't do it alone.
"It's because of the community," she said. "It's done because of our Salvation Army soldiers, our advisory board, our women's auxiliary and everyone in the community."