Salvation Army's Angel Tree sign-up starts for Manatee children

MANATEE -- Amaris Peralta's husband, Carlos, is serving a 12-year prison sentence in Oklahoma.

Carlos Peralta's absence is tough on Amaris and especially tough on her children, Bryan, 8, Kevin, 5, and Felix, 4.

"They don't know where their dad is," Peralta said Monday. "We explain that he is at work. But they ask for him."

While she bears a lot being a single mother, one thing Amaris Peralta doesn't have to worry about this year is Christmas.

That's because she signed up Monday on

the first day of 2015 registration for the Salvation Army of Manatee County's Angel Tree program, which annually procures toys for needy children up to age 12.

"I'm here because I need help with my three kids," Peralta said. "My husband is in prison and this is the second year that I've come. It's been a really big help since money-wise it's hard now. They get real good toys. It's really nice."

The Angel Tree program will be helping several thousand children this year, said Maj. Marion Durham of the Salvation Army of Manatee County.

"It's about 700 families we expect to help this Christmas season through Angel Tree," Durham said. "Last year, we almost made it to 700 families and we definitely believe the need will result in an increase this year."

Angel Tree applications can be made only this week. The process is easy, Peralta said.

"You stop by, you bring your child's birth certificate, Social Security cards, proof of income, proof of residence and, if you are approved, they will give you a date when to come and pick them up," Peralta said.

Inside the Salvation Army of Manatee County building Monday, many people pushing strollers were lined up to qualify.

"Today is a great day for the Salvation Army because we begin our application process for our Christmas assistance program," Durham said. "Angel Tree is our No. 1 program for helping needy families."

Many of the people who were coming for help on the first day are among the area's working poor, she said.

"They have jobs, they have an income but they just don't have enough for all the extras we associate with Christmas," Durham said.

Some of the things people ask for are things most of us take for granted, Durham said.

"Like putting shoes on our children's feet or making sure they have everything they need for school," Durham said. "We are asked for jeans and other basic necessities. Basic clothing items are the No. 1 thing people ask for. We try to meet that need through the Angel Tree clothing program and also give them some wonderful Christmas gifts."

When someone comes to the Salvation Army and says they have a need, the agency asks them to provide basic documentation.

"We ask for documentation about their family unit, who lives with them," Durham said. "You can only apply for the children who are living with you. The program ends at age 12."

Proof of income is required and so is proof of expenses, like a rent receipt, Durham said.

"The Salvation Army doesn't do Angel Tree on its own," Durham said. "Volunteers take the child's information, their name, age, clothing sizes and they are the ones who get to play Santa Claus and do the shopping."

Applications to get toys during Angel Tree will be accepted from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday of this week.

"On Thursday we go from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., to help those who work later in the day," Durham said.

The Salvation Army is located at 5328 24th St. E. in Bradenton, one block west of the intersection of U.S. 301 and State Road 70.

From Sept. 21 to 25, the Salvation Army will have a sign-up for its Adopt-A-Family program for children up to age 14.

"It has the same guidelines for qualification," Durham said.

The Peralta boys have a great need for shoes, their mother said. Bryan is size 2, Felix is size 11 and Kevin is size 11 1/2. The shoes can be dropped off at The Salvation Army under the name "Peralta," Durham said.

Richard Dymond, Herald reporter, can be reached at 941-745-7072 or contact him via Twitter @RichardDymond.

This story was originally published September 14, 2015 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Salvation Army's Angel Tree sign-up starts for Manatee children ."