SUFFOLK, Va. — Struggling families across Hampton Roads are looking to create a special Christmas memory. The Salvation Army is here to help.
They are accepting applications for the annual Angel Tree program in those areas for the next few days.
Regina Hall and Ethel Brown of Suffolk will be participating in the Salvation Army’s Angel Tree program. Regina said this year is her first time signing up and all she wants to do is bring a smile to her little girl’s face.
"I'm doing this for a great niece that I adopted when she was two months old," said Hall. “I try to do everything to make her happy.”
Brown said this program will lift the financial burden she faces around the holiday season.
“It’s very helpful, because times are so hard and things are so expensive,” Brown said. “So, it’s tremendous help to have them here, you know.”
"You can't be too proud to ask for help. If you need help, go and get it they're offering it,” Brown expressed.
The Salvation Army is encouraging those who can visit their Suffolk location at 400 Bank Street.
“What we were noticing was that there was a pocket of people who don’t have the ability to upload documents and do that kind of thing,” said Karen Twinney, the Salvation Army's Suffolk Corps administrator. “So for the next couple of days -- Friday, Monday, and Tuesday -- we’re actually going to have people come in and just tell us about their information, their kids, if they’re seniors, over 65.
Twinney said last year, the Angel Tree Assistance program helped more than 2,600 children from 900 families across Suffolk, Franklin City, South Hampton, and the Isle of Wight.
Applicants will need to make sure they have the following information:
- Parent/Guardian ID
- Proof of residency (i.e. Utility Bill, Lease)
- Proof the child lives with you (i.e. SNAP, School Portal SnapShot)
Twinney said the goal of the Salvation Army is to lighten the load so no family goes without.
"So what we’re always challenged to find are the ones who is like the working mom. She has three jobs, she knows that there’s no way she’s going to be able to do what she needs to do for the kids,” said Twinney.
While the Salvation Army aims to help everyone, they can assist up to 2,500 families this year.
People in Suffolk, Franklin, Isle of Wight, Smithfield, and South Hampton can apply in person on Monday and Tuesday.
The Salvation Army also urgently needs Angel Tree sponsors.