Salvation Army helping children in need with Angel Tree program

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — The Salvation Army is starting their holiday season of giving here in the Cape Fear.

They kicked off their Angel Tree program Friday afternoon at Independence Mall.

The tree’s ornaments are printed angels that have the name, age, and Christmas gift suggestions for children in need.

About three thousand kids will be helped this year through the program.

The Angel Tree has been brightening the Christmases of children in southeastern North Carolina for more than three decades.

“It’s an opportunity for people around the Cape Fear region to adopt an angel for Christmas, shop for your angel, bring them back, those gifts back to any Salvation Army location and your gift goes to that child and they have a better Christmas Day,” said the Salvation Army’s Major Mark Craddock.

The Salvation Army’s Red Kettle campaign also got going Friday.

The goal this year is to raise $300,000, which funds the organization’s social service programs.