From the red “Rock It” tricycles to Dora the Explorer?s storage table-and-chair sets, the Salvation Army Warehouse on Buenavista Avenue in Baltimore was transformed into Santa?s Toy Shop this week.
Tons of toys awaited dozens of parents picking up gifts for their children, and the holiday music playing in the background reminded everyone that Christmas is soon upon them. In the rear of the toy house, a Salvation Army sign read, “Doing The Most Good,” which summed up the activity in the warehouse.
Lakeisha Parker, a 30-year-old mother of four, collected her toys Tuesday. “These people are God?s angels, and he placed them here for a reason, to do his work. Without these gifts, Christmas would be dull and disappointing for both me and my children,” she said.
On Tuesday and today, hundreds of volunteers are distributing more than 50,000 toys and articles of clothing to 4,000 disadvantaged families in the Baltimore area. The effort, which has been a tradition for more than 25 years, is part of the Salvation Army?s annual National Angel Tree Program, which helps ensure less fortunate children under age 12 receive gifts during the holiday season.
More than 170 area companies and hundreds of individuals donated gifts for the program. Volunteers came from all walks of life.
“This is an example of Christmas,” said Monica Simonsen, a teacher who volunteered from the Community College of Baltimore County. “To see a big tough guy working along with a little old lady, you see the true spirit of Christmas coming through.”
Lafeea Watson, director of community relations and development for The Salvation Army of Greater Baltimore, has worked with the toy drive for five years and called it one of the most rewarding aspects of her job.
“It really moves me to be part of something massive for the holiday season,” she said. “I can imagine the faces of the children when they open up their gifts on Christmas Day.”
