The holidays became happier for about 1,500 Capital City area children and older adults Friday (12/16) morning. They were receiving early Christmas presents at Tallahassee’s Salvation Army Headquarters.
For the kids, the Salvation Army teamed up with the U.S. Marine Corps. Reserve’s “Toys for Tots” program. That meant enough playthings, including a giant roomful of bicycles, for a thousand so-called “forgotten angels” from Leon, Gadsden and Wakulla Counties. Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum showed up to thank the many Salvation Army staff and volunteers.
“They stand in the gap,” he said. “Their support helps to cover what we can’t cover and bring a little bit of joy and happiness to families during this really joyous and giving season.”
Also receiving gifts, hundreds of area seniors through the “Silver Bells” outreach. Salvation Army Corps. Officer Lt. Ryan Meo explained the gift giving has more than one goal.
“It’s not that simply we provide a child with gifts; it’s that we provide them with a more hopeful, brighter Christmas.”
Meo added the gift giving may be expanded to more North Florida counties next year.
