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Holidays may be brighter for Cumberland families thanks to Salvation Army Christmas Tree Angels

Dozens of Cumberland County families will have a merrier Christmas thanks to the Salvation Army Christmas Tree Angels.

Posted Updated

By
Gilbert Baez
, WRAL reporter
FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. — Dozens of Cumberland County families will have a merrier Christmas thanks to the Salvation Army Christmas Tree Angels.

On Tuesday, people in need arrived at a warehouse in Fayetteville to pick up toys, clothing and other items that will end up underneath the Christmas trees of eager boys and girls.

The agency had over 100 bikes for boys and girls in its warehouse, so if a youngster requested a bike for Christmas on the Angel Tree there is a good chance they're going to get it.

Salvation Army officials say the need is even greater this year because there are many family who normally wouldn't ask for help but they are doing it this year in the wake of hurricanes Florence and Michael, which wiped out Christmas for many central North Carolina families.

Officials say the Salvation Army's Christmas Tree program will provide gifts for about 2,000 children and seniors in Cumberland and four other surrounding areas.

If the Salvation Army program didn't exist, many people in our area wouldn't have many gifts under their tree.

"I have a new baby, who is 3 weeks old and we can't afford Christmas," said Michelle Hargis, who arrived to collect her donations. "We've been struggling all year long."

Soldiers from Fort Bragg's 82nd Airborne Division worked as volunteer Santa Claus, loading gifts into the vehicles of recipients.

Organizers say none of the gifts would have happened without the generosity of everyone who donated toys, bikes and money to help the Salvation Army with their annual Christmas project.

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