- Jamie Smith volunteers for the Salvation Army to help organize donated items for the annual Angel Tree program. She is bringing in more donated items.

At the Fredericksburg Fairgrounds, Kathy Constien (left) and Arlene Rager volunteer for the Salvation Army. Jamie Smith volunteers for the Salvation Army to help organize donated items for the annual Angel Tree program. She is bringing in more donated items.

As part of the Salvation Army's annual Angel Tree program, Russell Gardner sorts through donated canned food to be given out to the needy families for the holidays. Jamie Smith volunteers for the Salvation Army to help organize donated items for the annual Angel Tree program. She is bringing in more donated items.

Programs that 'adopt' youngsters and help others at Christmas still need assistance

Date published: 12/5/2006

NE OF the best parts of the annual Red Cross "Letters to Santa" drive that GEICO employees take part in each year is watching toys flow into the office of the big Stafford County employer.

"Someone will bring in the toy or the bike they've bought and the whole section will stop and take a look," said Sarah Lowther, coordinator for the company's participation. "Everyone gets to share in the excitement."

That excitement among the 3,000 or so GEICO employees saw to it that 185 needy youths were adopted this Christmas. The effort makes GEICO the largest "partner" the Red Cross has each year.

Later this week, bags full of holiday toys and clothing will flow into the GEICO office, to be delivered to the Red Cross collection area at the Park & Shop Shopping Center.

That's just one of several programs that are shifting into high gear this week with holiday help for the needy, elderly and infirm in our area.

The Salvation Army last week sent out an urgent request for help in getting needy children and elderly "adopted" from the Angel Trees at area stores.

Last week, the local Salvation Army said that several hundred of the 3,300 names that had gone up on the trees remained.

This morning, Capt. Christine Harris of the Salvation Army said she didn't know exactly how many names were left. Some, especially those of seniors, aren't taken as quickly by adoptive Santas as children.

At this point, she said the Salvation Army would welcome direct donation of toys, clothing, food or money to help provide gifts for Angel Tree recipients not taken and to go into supplementing gifts bought in the Angel Tree program.

This morning, a bevy of volunteers was unpacking and organizing evidence of the area's giving spirit.

From books to food to toys to stockings put together by area churches and other groups, the Salvation Army's "Toyland" was coming together in two large buildings at the Fredericksburg Fairgrounds.

Volunteers will use those items in the holiday assistance program to make sure all recipients have a merry Christmas.

Date published: 12/5/2006