Thousands of presents given out in Jackson through charitable giving

The Salvation Army is distributing donations of gifts for children in the Jackson area. Donations were made by individual donors, as well as corporate sponsors that helped to purchase around 13 thousand gifts in total this year.

Waiting in line is Myrtis Smith of Jackson. She is unable to work because she is disabled, and is picking up gifts for her grandchildren.

Smith says “It means a lot because it’s helping with the kids and a lot of us parents are really unable to do for their kids because of the pandemic.

Also in line is Jackson resident Wondra Kelly. She says many people she knows lost their jobs throughout the pandemic, or got sick and were unable to work.

“It’s a great blessing for me,” says Kelly. “I’m raising two kids, they’re my great, great niece and nephew, and anything will help with raising kids. This is really a blessing for the families.”

Amongst more than 600 families, around 12 hundred children will be receiving gifts through the Angel Tree program this year says Major Brenda Shafer with the Salvation Army.

“I would just like to thank the community, all the corporations, everybody that played a role,” says Shafer. “Because of that, today the families are being blessed.”

Gifts included items such as clothes, toys, and bikes, and volunteers say they are excited to help give children a better holiday season.