Salvation Army’s Angel Tree spreads holiday cheer to nearly 800 Bradenton families
By Tiffany Tompkins
Volunteer Maria Diaz works with dozens of volunteers to gather toys that were collected for 786 families on the Salvation Army’s Angel Tree Distribution Day. Families registered in September to receive presents for their children along with a turkey or ham. The distribution was drive-through style, with volunteers working together to make the event run smoothly.
Tiffany Tompkins
ttompkins@bradenton.com
Bradenton
Nearly 800 local families will have happier holidays after Salvation Army volunteers handed out gift bags as part of the nonprofit’s Angel Tree tradition.
Dozens of volunteers worked together in the large gymnasium at Salvation Army’s East Bradenton campus to distribute packages filled with bikes, dolls and other toys.
According to Kelly French, the organization’s director of community relations and development, 786 families and 1,700 children were served by Friday’s event.
As families arrived, a volunteer placed a number on the dashboard of their car corresponding to the number on their bundle of packages. Along with exciting presents for the children, each family received a turkey or ham in their bundle.
One of the youngest volunteers, 12-year-old Liam Geske, worked alongside the adults to deliver the packages to the families, and several workers from Amazon were there in festive red shirts to provide even more assistance.
The Salvation Army plans to host another Angel Tree distribution in Myakka City on Dec. 22 for families affected by Hurricane Ian.
Leonardo Burman holds up a number to get toys for a family as dozens of volunteers gather toys that were collected for 786 families on the Salvation Army’s Angel Tree Distribution Day. Families registered in September to receive presents for their children along with a turkey or ham. The distribution was drive-through style, with volunteers working together to make the event run smoothly. Tiffany Tompkins ttompkins@bradenton.com
Volunteers gather toys that were collected for 786 families on the Salvation Army’s Angel Tree Distribution Day. Families registered in September to receive presents for their children along with a turkey or ham. The distribution was drive-through style, with dozens working together to make the event run smoothly. Tiffany Tompkins ttompkins@bradenton.com
Liam Geske, 12, works with dozens of volunteers gathering toys that were collected for 786 families on the Salvation Army’s Angel Tree Distribution Day. Families registered in September to receive presents for their children along with a turkey or ham. The distribution was drive-through style, with volunteers working together to make the event run smoothly. Tiffany Tompkins ttompkins@bradenton.com
Jeanna Ankeney works with dozens of volunteers gathering toys that were collected for 786 families on the Salvation Army’s Angel Tree Distribution Day. Families registered in September to receive presents for their children along with a turkey or ham. The distribution was drive-through style, with volunteers working together to make the event run smoothly. Tiffany Tompkins ttompkins@bradenton.com
Volunteer Maria Diaz works with dozens of volunteers to gather toys that were collected for 786 families on the Salvation Army’s Angel Tree Distribution Day. Families registered in September to receive presents for their children along with a turkey or ham. The distribution was drive-through style, with volunteers working together to make the event run smoothly. Tiffany Tompkins ttompkins@bradenton.com
