BRADENTON, Fla. — The Salvation Army of Manatee County says they’re struggling this year to get enough toys for all the children signed up for their Angel Tree program.
Workers say because of the pandemic they were only able to put out a quarter of the Angel Trees this year.
"There are many businesses that don’t have their doors open to the public right now. They’ve had trees in the past but they’re just not able to take those trees this year," said Kelly French, with the Salvation Army.
Now they have more than 260 empty boxes that still need to be filled, each one representing a child with no toys.
"We have a lot of children that may not get any other Christmas anywhere else," said Cherley Gragg, working with the Salvation Army.
Many of the Angel adoption tags have been picked up, but not returned. The deadline to return the gifts was last week.
They’re asking for help from the community to bring in new unwrapped toys for boys and girls to help fill the remaining boxes.
The Salvation Army of Manatee County is in need of new clothes for boys ages 6-10 and new shoes, as well as unwrapped toys for children 0-12.
There toy drop off is located at:
5328 24th St. E
Bradenton, FL
For more information call: 941-748-5110
To learn more about how you can virtually adopt an angel click here.
