Salvation Army Celebrates 25th Anniversary Saturday
Posted
Staff Report-
The Salvation Army will celebrate the 25th Anniversary of Angel Tree in Kosciusko County on Saturday. The WIOE Jet Copter or “SkyAngel” will fly Santa to four stops in Warsaw to meet and greet people and celebrate. Santa will stop at Wal-Mart at 10 a.m. and then travel to Marsh Supermarket where people should be there around 10:20 a.m. From there he will fly to JB's Furniture where people should assemble around 10:50 a.m. The last stop for Santa will be at Kmart and the The Party Shop, where folks should be ready to greet him at 11:20 a.m. Angel Tree was started in 1988 by the Women's Auxiliary of The Salvation Army to provide toys to children of persons incarcerated at Kosciusko County Jail. Marge Gast, whohas since passed away, was the driving force in Angel Tree for many years, ensuring that children were helped during the Christmas holiday. Through the years the program has evolved to help children of all families in need. The Salvation Army has provided Christmas assistance for 92 years in the county but made a specific change 25 years ago. Kmart has been a supporting business and host of a tree all 25 years, so the last stop is there to thank them for their support. Angel Trees and those groups “adopting” children are supported by Depuy, Biomet, Medtronic, 1st United Methodist Church, Warsaw Evangelical Presbyterian Church, Warsaw Kiwanis Club, Warsaw Rotary Club, Redeemer Lutheran Church, Harvest Community Church, Milford Successful 4H, McDonald & Blakely Family, DJ Construction, Dental Solutions, Kosciusko REMC, Winona Lake Free Methodist Church, Amazing Grace Community Church, Warsaw Church of God, Rogers Electromatics and American Legion Post 49 and VFW Auxiliaries. The Salvation Army anticipates helping around 628 children according to Ken Locke, community ministries director. All gifts purchased to “adopt an angel” go to the family along with a gift certificate for food assistance. There are 175 teens who will receive a gift card sponsored by the Women's Auxiliary. For more information visit www.sawarsaw.org
