SALISBURY — “It’s been a blessing, a true blessing,” shared Captain Teresa Bush with the Salvation Army of Rowan County, as she reflected on the response of the community to this year’s Angel Tree program.

All 843 angels, which had been on the various angel trees in the area, were selected and returned with Christmas wishes fulfilled, “and I am so blessed that the community came together and provided for them,” she said.

On Friday, those with the Salvation Army plus volunteers gathered to distribute the family bags along with any additional items, such as bikes, dollhouses, remote control cars and anything that might be too big to fit inside the bags.

Not only the contents, but the number of bags received varied, Bush noted, depending on the requests and the number of children that are in the families that signed up for the program and met the financial criteria.

As families arrived to gather their Christmas treasures, they checked in at a tent and their number was relayed to volunteers inside the building, where the bags with the corresponding number were awaiting pickup. Once found by volunteers, they were carried out and loaded in the car.

Volunteer Haiden Lopez, who was there with other volunteers from Planet Fitness, said this was her first time helping and, “I love walking up to the cars and then seeing the smiles because I don’t think they know how much they’re getting.”

Lopez shared how one lady that came through received multiple bags, and “she looked so happy, there might have been tears, I don’t know, but it was just awesome.”

The Salvation Army of Rowan County services the entire county, Bush said, and thus these bags of Christmas gifts represent the needs of families from all over the county, and that need was higher this year.

Last year, they did 150 bags, Bush noted, although she did point out this was her first year and she wasn’t sure of the reason for the difference in numbers but did say that “with inflation it’s been higher this year even with the food pantry.”

And while the need was higher, the response was likewise good this year as Bush said she was “thankful for everybody in the community. They’ve all stepped up and helped.”

Angels were adopted by multiple locations this year as Bush said several churches adopted some ranging in number from 20 to more than 100, and Aldi’s warehouse adopted 125 angels this year along with other places taking as many as 20 to 50 angels. Plus, banks have adopted angels too, and calls and emails continued to come in asking if they still had angels.

Therefore, having all these additional locations “opened it up for people to come in and adopt. So it’s just been amazing,” she added. “I am just floored by the response. I get emotional” she said when talking about it all.

Bush shared that the volunteers were amazing. 

Adam McKinney and Julie McAuley, also with Planet Fitness, both shared about their time volunteering.

“Being from Salisbury,” said McKinney, “it feels nice to be able to give back to people.”

McAuley echoed this sentiment, adding that it was nice to see the excitement on the people’s faces as they brought the bags to the cars and packed them, and it was “very humbling to be a part of the experience as well.”

Lopez said being there and seeing it all was heartwarming and because of the experience, she anticipates watching for additional volunteer opportunities in the future.

“I think that everybody can use a little happiness right now in the world. So it’s just nice to be a part of it,” she shared.

Smiles could be seen all around on the faces of all involved during the distribution event, both the volunteers and those receiving the Christmas treasures.

“It’s just amazing that it all came together,” shared Bush. “The angels came back. It just makes you feel good because that’s what Christmas is about.”