Salvation Army angel tree - Angels still left - breaks my heart

**imagine** · 12-21-2011, 10:53 AM

Our news recently ran an article saying that angels on the angel tree still needing to be claimed ( after the official local ending/collection date)

It went on to say that last year in our town 30% of the children's angels were not chosen from the tree.

This broke my heart to hear this.

They said that here they put the trees up three weeks earlier this year for two reasons 1) there were 15% more children/angels (need has gone up it appears) and 2) because of the large number not picked last year.

And yet they still had to extend the date in hope of getting more chosen this year.

Oh this so breaks my heart

**frugalwarrior2** · 12-21-2011, 11:06 AM

It breaks mine too.
However, last year when we went to do the lighthouse (our local) the kids had chosen $$$ gifts. I was irritated and disappointed (and not the only one) because we wanted to help but my kids can't have xmas if they get $100. gifts. I wonder if someone mediates that w/ the angel gifts? i ended up doing the senior tree as they chose smaller needs gifts.

**imagine** · 12-21-2011, 11:30 AM

Originally Posted by frugalwarrior2

It breaks mine too.
However, last year when we went to do the lighthouse (our local) the kids had chosen $$$ gifts. I was irritated and disappointed (and not the only one) because we wanted to help but my kids can't have xmas if they get $100. gifts. I wonder if someone mediates that w/ the angel gifts? i ended up doing the senior tree as they chose smaller needs gifts.

They were asking for expensive gifts? so sad

Here they might have asked for a bike that might be considered expensive ,but is often the first one picked off the tree. Many children ride bikes to school here so many consider this a need.

Teen girls generally asked for make up or body washes
Dolls or a barbie or board games or action figures or baby toys where what the kids were asking for. They did list sizes if you wanted to buy clothes. ( we bought the girl we picked a doll and an outfit)

"I wonder if someone mediates that w/ the angel gifts?" I do not understand the question can you reword it for me?

**imagine** · 12-21-2011, 11:44 AM

I just noticed that my title has a 0 after the angels left.

That is so incorrect as our has so many left

The 0 was suppose to be a -

Could some one fix that for me?

**brennasmom** · 12-21-2011, 11:45 AM

I think that is why a lot of people don't participate. Some of the gifts on the tags are too expensive... ipods, video games, etc. and it makes it seem like you have to get that gift or nothing (not sure if that is true). I did a gift this year for a baby and the request was shampoo, diapers, etc....

**imagine** · 12-21-2011, 11:54 AM

Originally Posted by brennasmom

I think that is why a lot of people don't participate. Some of the gifts on the tags are too expensive... ipods, video games, etc. and it makes it seem like you have to get that gift or nothing (not sure if that is true). I did a gift this year for a baby and the request was shampoo, diapers, etc....

I do wonder if that is the case.

Here though the 30% left where not because of high priced gift wishes. The wishes were simple and modest doll, puzzle, baby toy, ball, action figure, board game, body washes. With the occasional bike which is considered a need in this area.

So many bike riders that all kindergarteners are given a bike helmet at school to take home after kindergarten police pass them out for free to every child ( and some adults) who stop by the police station and ask for one. The hospital also sells them for like $2 maybe up to $5 now.

**chickadee-7815** · 12-21-2011, 06:58 PM

We had a "giving tree" at our church. The tags left hanging on the tree were all requests for expensive electronic games or gadgets. Not having children myself, I didn't even know what some of the things were.
We did have some families that went together to purchase a couple of the more expensive gifts.

**sunshine** · 12-21-2011, 10:07 PM

I agree that many ask for pricey items. . . and with the economy that way it is. . . there are lots more angels on the trees, and people with lots less money to help out.

We always chose younger children ages, that would still believe in Santa. . . teens are harder to buy for, and I wish I could get for them -- but the little ones would be so disappointed.

**frugalwarrior2** · 12-21-2011, 10:35 PM

I wonder if someone helps the kids w/ their requests so they don't pick too expensive things or things that are so popular that no one can find or impractical. Young children still "believe" so there is no price, its come from a magical workshop. They watch tv and the stupid commercials TELL them what they want.
I just feel so bad for low income families because Santa is a burden that way.
The kids on our church tree seemed so influenced by the commercials. And bikes are another thing. $50-75. for a bike makes sense but the little electronic players that only play their CD's were in (CD now was something like that name) that year. And they were about that price. It would make me crazy to buy that junk when the kid doesn't have decent winter boot and a good coat. JMHO.

**VanVivCam** · 12-22-2011, 11:54 AM

We don't select from Angel Trees. I go to our FRC at school and ask to adopt a family..I can pick the family size. They give me a list of toys, clothes sizes and ages in the family. DD and I really enjoy shopping for them and we have been doing this since DD was in kindergarten. For the parents, I always get hickory farms gift set and a Christmas card. Although, we can't put our names on the card, it just makes me feel better knowing that we are helping someone directly in our community.

**khaski** · 12-22-2011, 01:35 PM

----Vent ahead!----I specifically do NOT donate to a local church's toy drive but often donate to 'toys for tots'. Why not the church? My friend volunteers for it- spends one day sorting toys into age groups, one 1/2 day distributing (approved people stop by the church to pick up the toys). This year she got about $400 of toys/gift cards for her 3 kids, given to her by the director! I'm not against the volunteers getting a little something for their time spent, but I disagree with 1 volunteer getting (2) $100 gift cards, 1 $70 Imaginext toy, and other things (those were the biggies). While $ is tight in their household, her kids were in no danger of having none/a small Xmas, and I found it VERY inappropriate the person who runs this was so generous to a volunteer, when so many kids will get nothing this year. I myself would be MIGHTY irritated to find out the $70-100 'gift' I spent my $ on to give a child a good Xmas went ot a volunteer who's kids had Xmas all set for them. I have never said as much to my friend, but I won't donate a darn yo-yo to that particular drive! --------End of vent---------

**Greebo** · 12-22-2011, 01:37 PM

The Salvation Army is currently getting some pretty nasty criticism for their position on homosexuality - this might be some backlash?

**moasmom** · 12-22-2011, 01:45 PM

Originally Posted by Greebo

The Salvation Army is currently getting some pretty nasty criticism for their position on homosexuality - this might be some backlash?

I'm not disagreeing with you, but those allegations have been going on for years. Personally, I am not a fan of they way they do business, so I don't support them. Luckily, there are plenty of secular charities doing good work without exclusionary policies.

There are probably lots of factors involved in those tags left on the "angel" trees, a big one others have already mentioned: lots of requests for expensive items. I know lots of people also prefer to spend charitable dollars on food and other necessary items (shoes, coats, etc.) rather than toys. But that certainly doesn't mean giving and donations aren't happening through the thousand other channels available.

Kara

**forHISglory** · 12-22-2011, 02:35 PM

Salvation Army is foremost a religious denomination, which chooses to reach out to the poor and needy as part of their charity. As a religious denomination, they have every right to have a position on homosexuality, just as any other church has. Often, folks forget that is first and foremost a church.

Their acts of charity in our area are stupendous!! And they garner great respect from our community. They have the bell ringing and Angel Tree at Christmas, but also run meals on wheels for the aged and infirm, clothing and food distrubtion to the needy, a children's day care program, etc.

As far as Angel Tree, I help with one of the local parties and distribution. It's a wonderful experience. But I agree that some of the gifts are expensive. I know that some folks have gone together to sponsor a gift (so that it shares the cost). I only choose smaller gifts to give, and make my money cover more children that way.

I wonder what happens when some children are not chosen? Were they expecting it? Seems like some sort of back up plan could be set up.....