By BOBBIE GREEN
The Progress
The Angel Tree Program sponsored by the Salvation Army is again in motion. This annual giving program offers a chance for area residents to help local families in need and to provide a Merry Christmas for local children.
Angel trees are located at various businesses around town. These include Colonial Property Management at 1155 W. Pioneer Blvd; Fringe Hair Salon, 786 W. Pioneer Blvd; Highland Manor 272 W. Pioneer Blvd; Mountain America Credit Union 580 W. Pioneer Blvd.; the Mesquite Senior Center 102 W. Old Mill Road; Sun City Clubhouse at 1350 Flat Top Mesa Dr.; The Veterans Center at 840 Hafen Lane; Bank of Nevada at 11 W. Pioneer Blvd; and at Walmart at 1120 W. Pioneer Blvd.
The Salvation Army has placed special angel tags on each of these trees. The tags give information about a child between the ages of newborn and 17 years. Information includes gender, age and appropriate gift choices related to the child.
The gentle souls who take a tag may bring their gifts to the drop-off box at the location from which they took the tag. Or gift items may be brought directly to the Salvation Army office at 742 W, Pioneer Blvd, suite D.
All gifts will be transferred to the Jimmy Hughes Center, made available by the City Parks and Recreation Department, where they will be sorted by volunteers and distributed in time for Christmas.
Salvation Army Director Bill Ennis said, “The Angel Tree Program is a way to provide for the children that would not get anything and a way for us and the community to help out.”
The official kick-off for the annual Salvation Army Kettle Drive will be on November 27 at the Mesquite Walmart store at 10-11AM. The event is expected to have an appearance from Santa Claus, as well as a visit from Mesquite Mayor Al Litman.
After that, the volunteer bell ringers will be located outside most of the local store locations until December 23, collecting monetary donations for local Salvation Army programs.
Ennis emphasized that all monies and donations collected are used locally. The funds collected from the Kettle Drive are used to determine the Salvation Army center budget for the next year, he said.
“The generosity of this city and its people is overwhelming,” Ennis said.
Ennis is a 42-year military veteran, with law enforcement and an Educational background. He has been in the position of Salvation Army Director for less than six-months.
“I am just extremely humbled with the great people that live here,” he said.
