Hundreds of Angel Tree bicycles wait to be given away Tuesday at the Salvation Army Warehouse in Rossville.Without the Salvation Army’s Angel Tree program, some parents would have nothing to give their children for Christmas, said Marliena Brinkman.
The 26-year-old mom has a husband with no job and no money, but on Tuesday she got new clothes and toys to give to her 2-year-old daughter and her unborn child who is due in January.
Brinkman’s husband, Theral Hatchett, lost his job at Pilgrim’s Pride six months ago.
Brinkman’s family is among 4,763 families in Cleveland, Tenn., and Chattanooga that include children and seniors for whom the Salvation Army provided Christmas gifts through its Angel Tree ministry. The Salvation Army also gave each family a Bi-Lo gift card to buy Christmas dinner.
Local residents donated gifts for the families. And families came to the Salvation Army Angel Tree warehouse Tuesday and will come today to get the gifts.