A Season of Giving: The Story Behind Angel Tree
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The holiday season is meant to be a time of joy, but for many families facing financial hardship, it can be a season of worry. That’s where the Angel Tree program comes in—a tradition that began in 1979 in Lynchburg, Virginia. When Salvation Army officers Charles and Shirley White were denied permission to place their fundraising kettles inside a local mall, they turned a setback into something extraordinary. They wrote children’s Christmas wishes on Hallmark cards decorated with angels and hung them on a mall Christmas tree. Shoppers could pick a card and fulfill a child’s wish. That simple act of kindness grew into one of the most enduring holiday programs in the country, now reaching more than a million children each year.
At its heart, Angel Tree supports children and families who might otherwise go without gifts during Christmas. Each “angel” represents a child in need, and donors step in to provide clothing, toys, or essentials that bring dignity and joy to families during the holidays.
Hopelink Community Services Angel Tree Event
This year, Hopelink Community Services is proud to host our own Angel Tree outreach. We believe every child deserves to feel remembered and celebrated, and every family deserves to experience the warmth of the season.
Event Details: 📅 Saturday, December 20th, 2025 🕑 2:00 PM 📍 481 Sawgrass Corporate Parkway, Sunrise, FL
How You Can Help
Your generosity makes this event possible. Here are ways you can join us:
Adopt an Angel: Choose a child’s tag from our Angel Tree and shop for their gift.
Donate Monetary Gifts: Every dollar helps us purchase essentials for families.
Gift Cards or Checks: Flexible support that allows us to meet specific needs.
Online Donations: Scan the QR code on our flyer to give instantly.
Why It Matters
When you give to the Angel Tree, you’re not just donating a toy or a gift card—you’re telling a child, “You are seen, you are valued, and you are loved.” For families struggling to make ends meet, these gifts bring more than holiday cheer; they bring hope.
Together, we can make December 20th a day of joy, dignity, and community. Join Hopelink Community Services in lifting up families this season.