DEP DELIVERS HOLIDAY PRESENTS TO THE SALVATION ARMY FOR MORE THAN 170 CHILDREN DURING SEASON OF SERVICE TOUR
SALVATION ARMY’S WEST TRENTON REGION HELPS MORE THAN1,000 FAMILIES

(14/P136) TRENTON – Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Commissioner Bob Martin delivered donated holiday presents for more than 170 children to the Salvation Army Corps in Trenton this morning, as part of Governor Christie’s annual Season of Service campaign that is designed to call attention to state residents in need during this holiday season.

The donations were made by the DEP staff to the Salvation Army’s Angel Tree program, which the DEP has been involved with for the past four years. The program provides new clothing or toys for children of needy families through the support of donors.

DEP contributors purchased “wish gifts’’ for children from the Trenton area. Presents included assorted toys, games, bicycles, electronics, sporting goods, as well as essentials like clothing, diapers and bedding, plus gift cards.

“The Salvation Army is a caring organization that serves underprivileged families in the Trenton area and across our state in many different ways every day,” said Commissioner Martin, who formerly served as the chairman of the Salvation Army Advisory Board of Greater New York. “I was heartened to see the generosity of our staff, who understand that the spirit of giving to those less fortunate is a gift in itself.”

Nearly 30 million Americans receive assistance from The Salvation Army each year through the broadest array of social services that range from providing food for the hungry, relief for disaster victims, assistance for the disabled, outreach to the elderly and ill, clothing and shelter to the homeless and opportunities for underprivileged children.

The Salvation Army West Central Region serves Mercer, Hunterdon and Somerset counties, and is collecting toys and gifts for about 1,000 families and 4,000 children through its Angel Tree effort this holiday season.

“The toys collected by wonderful volunteers help us to provide each child with toys and often clothing items,’’ said Salvation Army Major Kellie Peabody, who is the West Central Region program coordinator. “The families that are assisted are struggling daily to make ends meet, so the ability to provide them with Christmas assistance goes a long way. We are extremely grateful for the outpouring of support from local individuals and corporations. On behalf of those families who will receive the gifts, I want to extend my deepest gratitude. Merry Christmas!’’

The Angel Tree program was created by The Salvation Army in 1979 by Majors Charles and Shirley White when they worked with a Lynchburg, Virginia shopping mall to provide clothing and toys for children for the Christmas holiday.  The program got its name because the Whites identified the wishes of local children by writing their gift needs on greeting cards that featured pictures of angels. They placed the cards on a Christmas tree at the mall to allow shoppers to select children to help.

For more information on the Salvation Army Angel Tree Program, which is still accepting holiday donations, visit: www.dfwangeltree.org

Photos of the delivery of toys to the Salvation Army Trenton Corps, are below (click on the each photo to view full size versions):

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