Salvation Army's Angel Shop Brings Joy To Thousands Of Kids
FT. LAUDERDALE (CBS4) - The holidays are just around the corner and The Salvation Army of Broward County is making sure less fortunate families have something to celebrate. It's giving toys out to more than 3,500 Broward County children through the Angel Tree Toy Shop.
"I just thank God some miracles can happen this year," said Catherine Brown.
This day for Brown is a Christmas wish come true. She is a single parent to five children, two of which have disabilities. Getting ready for the holiday this year has been especially hard because she's had a difficult time finding work. Filling her kids' holiday wish list has seemed nearly impossible.
"They look at me and ask 'Mom can I have this toy this year'," said Brown. "I say 'Let's see what I can do to make miracles happen'."
Catherine's hurting heart felt a bit of joy and happiness when she found out her Christmas miracle would come true. All her children will have holiday gifts this year thanks to generous citizens and corporations which donated to the Salvation Army's Angel Tree Program.
The program will provide Christmas for more than 1500 families with toys for more than 3500 children. The Salvation Army said this year they've seen more families in need.
"We had just over 900 angels not adopted this year," said Major Gene Hogg who is the commander at The Salvation Army in Broward County. "We were in a little bit of a crisis to make sure Christmas was going to happen for families."
At the last-minute a corporate donor contributed $15,000 dollars worth of toys. Now The Salvation Army Toy Shop is brimming with every gift imaginable for kids at Christmastime.
For Brown, it's a holiday miracle.
"The kids will feel wonderful, they'll feel happy in the morning, opening their presents," said Brown.
For the Salvation Army, and their generous donors, this means their Christmas mission is complete.
"Joy and hope have been transmitted to the Brown Family, it gives us a very warm sense of accomplishment," said Hogg.
The Salvation Army of Broward County is still taking donations at their toy shop at the Salvation Army Fellowship Center in Fort Lauderdale.
