ORLANDO, Fla. – At the Salvation Army Joy Center, the generosity flows from volunteers to bags of gifts and straight to families in need.
Jasmine Walker, a mother of an 8-year-old and a 12-year-old, said her family is facing eviction.
Without resources for Christmas, the holiday season seemed bleak.
“Most is really just to have a roof over my head,” Walker said. “I know the gifts are going to be a blessing towards the kids.”
Walker’s gratitude is unwavering.
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Despite her family’s challenges, she finds strength in having a place to stay and gifts for her children.
“I’m grateful that it’s a roof over my head, and they have something under the tree,” she said, wiping away tears.
For Walker, this year is her first time as an Angel Tree recipient, a Salvation Army program that provides Christmas gifts to children through donations from the public.
Volunteers filled her family’s needs with bicycles and bags of toys.
“All I can do is give praise to God because without this, they would have nothing under the tree at all,” Walker said.
First-time volunteer Lily Rodriguez said she was moved to help others.
“To see people smile and to know that people are having what they need for Christmas and being able to have Christmas, that’s all I need,” Rodriguez said.
Walker reflected on the support her family received, especially during back-to-back holidays.
“I was ready for Thanksgiving because there was food on the table, clothes on our backs, shoes on our feet,” Walker said. “So I thank God every day.”
For Walker and many others, gratitude remains the theme this holiday season.
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