Photo By Cynthia Griggs | Volunteers sort and organize donated Angel Tree program gifts at the base chapel Dec....... read more read more
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Volunteers at Hill Air Force Base have given the children of its military families a memorable holiday season through its annual Angel Tree program.
The Angel Tree program was created by The Salvation Army in 1979 to provide clothing and toys for children at Christmas through the support of community donations.
At Hill AFB, the chapel facilitates the event each year. However, the program is organized and run by military and civilian volunteers from the base and local community.
First sergeants generate the Angel Tree cards by anonymously nominating military families from the base. Names are then placed on an Angel Tree tag at the base chapel with the children’s ages, clothing sizes, and Christmas gift wish lists.
This year, 61 families received Angel Tree gifts. Volunteer Angel Tree coordinator Geri Carrier said it was around half the number of children than last year; however, she said there were more than enough gifts.
“It was a tremendous turnout. People brought extra gifts so that everyone could have a good Christmas,” Carrier said.
Volunteers make gift tags and collect, organize and distribute the gifts to the base's first sergeants for delivery. On distribution day this year, volunteers sorted and wrapped packages, filling the chapel's pews with gifts ready for delivery.
Carrier said this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, they had fewer volunteers spread across two shifts, with about seven military members and civilians coming in each shift to maximize the social distancing.
Volunteering for the Angel Tree program for 14 years, Carrier said she doesn’t consider the program charity.
“It’s ‘pay it forward,’” she said. “I expect these families receiving gifts this year in a couple of years, when they’re in a more comfortable situation, to come and take a card off the tree to help another family. Military takes care of military.”
She said she was inspired to become a part of the program because of a time when her husband was in the military and had come back from the Vietnam War. They didn’t have much money at the time and someone anonymously helped them out at Christmas.
Looking around the chapel at the gift-filled pews, she said, “I’m always in awe of the kindness and generosity of people.”
| Date Taken: | 12.10.2021 |
| Date Posted: | 12.10.2021 09:54 |
| Story ID: | 410886 |
| Location: | HILL AIR FORCE BASE, UTAH, US |
| Web Views: | 92 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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