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Clearwater Salvation Army to give Christmas gifts to 2,000 kids, seniors despite hurricane setbacks

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Published  December 16, 2024 7:45am EST
Clearwater
FOX 13 News

Salvation Army Angel Tree program meets goal

Families who may not be able to put something under the Christmas tree are getting help from the Salvation Army.

CLEARWATER, Fla. - The Clearwater Salvation Army's Angel Tree program has persevered through challenges posed by Hurricanes Helene and Milton. This week, it will provide gifts to 2,000 Bay Area kids and senior citizens. 

Major Ted Morris said, "If we can do something to bring warmth into their lives during Christmastime, in a very difficult time."

According to Morris, the non-profit lost its warehouse volunteers, who were normally used for the program, due to the storms. 

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"In a matter of a day or two, we thought - what are we going to do?" Morris asked.

The Clearwater Salvation Army's Angel tree provides presents to 2,000 kids and seniors.

The Clearwater Salvation Army's Angel tree provides presents to 2,000 kids and seniors. 

He said the gift-bagging operation was moved to their much smaller campus off Belcher Road where storage was an issue. 

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"We decided to rent about 25 shipping containers, which become our warehouse," Morris stated.

The containers are staged in the parking lot.

The Clearwater Salvation Army moved into its smaller warehouse and used 25 storage containers to keep the presents after losing its warehouse during Hurricane Milton.

The Clearwater Salvation Army moved into its smaller warehouse and used 25 shipping containers to keep the presents after losing its warehouse during Hurricane Milton. 

The Clearwater Salvation Army also saw fewer Angel tags picked off of their Christmas trees. 

Last week about 400 angels still needed to be adopted. Major Morris put out a call for help out to the community. 

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"With the combination of toy drives and donors that came forward for us, to purchase those toys to fill those bags for angels that have not been adopted," Morris shared. 

Now they're set to meet their goal.

Volunteers plan to distribute gifts on Wednesday and Thursday.

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