FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Friday, December 6, 2013 The Salvation Army of Wake County – 1863 Capital, Raleigh, NC 27604 ONE WEEKEND CAN MAKE A MAGICAL CHRISTMAS FOR 2,318 CHILDREN The Salvation Army Says There is Still Time Left to Give WAKE COUNTY, N.C. (Friday, December 6, 2013) With its Christmas Gift Distribution a little over a week away, The Salvation Army of Wake County still needs community members to “adopt” and provide for nearly 2,318. Though corporate and online adoptions have increased, the need has also increased from the previous year. December 6-9 is the final weekend that the Angel Trees at the malls and is also the weekend of Walmart’s Fill the Truck Event. The Salvation Army is hopeful that the next few days will make the difference for the 2,318 children on Christmas day. The Salvation Army registered 8,707 children from Wake County into its Christmas Cheer Program which guarantees children new toys, but also strives to provide new winter clothing and stockings filled with goodies. The angel trees will be up at Crabtree Valley Mall, Triangle Town Center and Cary Towne Center until December 9. Here shoppers can adopt a child need by simply purchasing a top and bottom for a child or one outfit. “Clothing is by far the greatest need this season. We registered boys and girls ages 0-12 years old,” says Lizzy Adams, Director of Public Relations. Adams continues, “because the sizes are larger, we have a harder time filling the clothing for the older children.” Even the donation of a pair of pants, shoes, or shirt can be a tremendous help. “Receiving donations of new clothing allows us to supplement for angels that did not get adopted and would not receive clothing otherwise,” states Director of Operations and Communications, Paige Bagwell. Also, this weekend select Walmarts in Wake County will also host the Fill the Truck event where shoppers can drop off new toys for children in the Christmas Cheer Program. Those not facing the holiday crowds can adopt angels online at www.wakearmy.org or make a monetary donation that will be used to help a child in need this Christmas. Contact: Lizzy Adams, Director of Public Relations, The Salvation Army (Wake County) 919.669.0762 (cell) [email protected] Photo The Salvation Army Angel Tree ### About the Salvation Army: William Booth began The Salvation Army in 1865, when he left the Methodist ministry to begin a mission in the poverty-stricken slums of London. Booth’s mission chose to take the message of hope and salvation to destitute people who needed it the most. Many of Booth’s first converts to Christianity were rejected by traditional churches due to their pasts, but Booth still continued to support them spiritually and to challenge them to save others just as they had saved themselves. Today, The Salvation Army serves through a network of more than 9,000 US based units. One of the largest charitable and social service organizations in the world, The Salvation Army has been helping those in need since 1865. The Salvation Army provides food for the hungry, companionship to the elderly and ill, clothing and safe housing to the homeless, opportunities for underprivileged children, relief for disaster victims, assistance for the disabled, and many more services to assist those in need. Locally, The Salvation Army has been serving the people of Wake County since 1887 and maintains a program and services investment of 91 cents for every dollar received from the community. Its Wake County headquarters is located at 1863 Capital Blvd, Raleigh, NC 27604. Its mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination. Visit us on-line to learn more or to make a donation. www.WakeArmy.org