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Pike County has long been known and appreciated for its generosity. 

However, as Christmas neared, too many angels were still on Pike County Salvation Army’s Angel Tree.  

At the organization’s January 20024 meeting on Wednesday, , Donna Kidd, director of the Pike County Salvation Army Service Center, shared how, as Christmas Day 2023 neared, there was concern that all the wishes on the center’s 2023 Angel Tree might not be met.  

But, when the need for gifts for the children was known, Kidd said, the outpouring of generosity and the love for children came through in an amazing way.

All wishes of the children on the Angel Tree came true. 

Kidd said people from all walks of life began bringing presents for the children. Many were from the Pike County area and others from miles away. 

“People were so generous with their giving that we were able to add the Christmas wishes of children who otherwise would not have presents under their Christmas trees,” Kidd said.

Through the generosity of “secret Santas,” Christmas brought more surprises than the little angels could have imagined and also  brought happiness to other children in the family.

One Christmas wish had been for a bicycle, but, through the generosity of one person, Santa left, not one, but three bicycles, under the tree.

 Christmas is the season for giving and those, who gave so generously this year, made the season bright for all the angels on the Salvation Army’s Angel Tree. 

“And, through their generosity, it was a Merry Christmas for many and a blessing for all who gave,”  

The Salvation Army’s Angel Tree program helps provide Christmas gifts for hundreds of thousands of children around the country each year. Once a child has been registered and accepted as an Angel their Christmas wish list is shared with community members who purchase gifts of new clothing and toys.