ORLANDO, Fla. – Many first-time Angel Tree recipients got to experience the event on Tuesday.
“Thank you. Thank you for being a blessing to those who couldn’t do it,” Shaquanda Sanders said. “I appreciate it and I’m very grateful.”
Sanders is a single mother of three who heard about the program through word of mouth. She tells News 6 the moment she walked into the Joy Center and saw all of the gifts ready for families like hers, she was taken Aback.
“It was exciting, I’m not going to lie,” she said. “This is great, and I wasn’t even expecting all the things that I did [get] because I only put like 2 or 3 things because this was my first time.”
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“I was just surprised to see just the amount of stuff they have in there for everyone and just the organization of it, just the way they were able to get everyone there and see that, the flyers, the numbers, it was truly amazing,” Fredrick Johnson said told News 6.
Johnson said he and his wife are feeling blessed to be able to provide a magical holiday experience for their children thanks to Angel Tree.
“The amount of stuff I got for my kids this year, it’s just truly a blessing. Especially after last year. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to get them anything in, so this year is definitely making up for it,” he said. “The Salvation Army, especially the fact that they’re a Christian-based program, I love it, and I just thank God for it.”
The father of six said it is not always easy making Christmas happen every December, so this has lifted a weight off his shoulders.
“It’s a blessing. I’m just so happy that they’re going to be able to enjoy this Christmas and have fun and just know that they’re loved. They’re all amazing kids, so I’m glad to be I’m able to make them happy this year, and the Salvation Army is able to help with that,” he said.
Johnson said that he and his wife have always wanted to be a part of the program.
“We try but always miss it usually always have to struggle and come out of pocket and fortunately, this year I could focus on just the bills and make sure the kids are happy. So that’s great,” he said.
Volunteers like Samantha Zaino say it is a pleasure to see the amazing reactions from families who come through.
“Oh, it’s so wonderful to see the joy on their faces,” she said. “The knowledge that they’ll be able to bring Christmas to their family at home is just wonderful because not everybody has been lucky enough and fortunate enough. I feel blessed and grateful for the life that I’ve had, and I just believe in paying it forward and giving whatever you can.”
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