Finding Solutions: Salvation Army of Aiken looks for facility to host Angel Tree Program
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - It’s been a busy couple of weeks for the Salvation Army of Aiken as they help with storm recovery efforts.
Now, they’re looking ahead to the holidays and are gearing up for this year’s Angel Tree Program, but they hit a roadblock along the way.
The organization is finding solutions in how they can make Christmas special for 2-thousand kids in the area.
Captain Michael Good, the Commanding Officer of the Salvation Army of Aiken, knows about the Salvation Army’s Angel Tree all too well.
“My wife and I are actually former Angel Tree children,” said Good. “For years our parents relied on the Salvation Army and generous donors to our family who was struggling with poverty.”
As they continue to assist in storm recovery efforts, they’re also adding Christmas to the list.
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“Every child deserves to wake up on Christmas morning with gifts under the tree and so we know that it is a huge necessity,” said Good.
The Salvation Army Angel Tree helps provide Christmas gifts for hundreds of thousands of kids around the U.S. each year.
Good says the problem they have currently is finding a location to run the program out of.
“Every year we’ve been able to find a location,” he said. “We start searching around June or July for a location that will be available and this year sadly, four months of searching and we are still coming up empty.”
He says in the past they have worked out of warehouses, commercial spots that weren’t being leased or rented, and partnered with large organizations with gyms. The space is used to gather, sort, and distribute the gifts.
“The scary part with this is without a location it’s almost impossible to have an Angel Tree.”
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There are 2,000 kids in the Aiken area already on their list to receive gifts, but the program is being paused until a location is found.
“The children have already been ed, we even have donors ready to adopt children for Christmas,” said Good.
Good says they are looking for a 30,000-square-foot facility in Aiken County, but ultimately would be happy with 15,000 to 20,000 square feet.
“We are looking for community partners that can come alongside us and believe in what we’re doing as it does provide Christmas to so many children,” he said.
Were told they couldn’t use any of their facilities because they are all in use serving as a shelter, soup kitchen, and after-school programs for kids. Plus, they are not large enough for this huge program which lasts five to six weeks.
You can call 803-641-4141 or email [email protected] if you would like to help in finding a facility.
You can also visit their website here.
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