On Tuesday, I volunteered for the Salvation Army handing out gifts from the Angel Tree program to the senior citizens at the Gateway Towers in Chattanooga. I was expecting to be like Santa Claus, passing out presents and making people happy, but instead felt like the Grinch.

Due to a shortage of Angel Tree adoptions, I had to tell them that I was sorry, but there were no presents for them. No one had adopted their angel off of the various trees in the area.

It was heartbreaking. I felt like a character in a Christmas movie where things seem so hopeless until the end when a miracle happens and everything turns out alright. Sadly on Tuesday, things weren't made right because no Christmas miracle happened.

Nearly two thirds of the seniors in this complex, who signed up for the program, weren't adopted and went without presents, while those around them joyously opened items from their wish list.

While the Salvation Army did give everyone a $25 gift card to BI-LO, it was hard to watch so many impoverished seniors sitting there without a gift to open. Many seniors were extremely grateful for the gift card. After one woman asked where her presents were, I explained what had happened. She replied, "This was what I really needed. I felt very greedy listing those presents on the form."

Her response stabbed my heart because all she had listed was Dove Body Wash and Shampoo. She felt greedy for listing personal hygiene items on her wish list that I could easily pick up during a routine trip to Wal-Mart. I was instantly shamed for my wants. At that point, my expensive list didn't seem so important and I wished I had adopted more angels instead. Despite the disappointment, all the seniors remained gracious and kind, thankful for the gift card

Now I know what happens to those angel tags left on the tree at the mall.

Valerie Royer
Hixson

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The Salvation Army’s promise to the community is “Doing the Most Good.” We are committed to providing physical, emotional, and spiritual care to those in need 365 days a year. At Christmas, this is often in the form of Christmas gifts, food, and clothing. This week is the biggest week of our Christmas efforts. All week we are distributing gifts that have been provided by the community through our Angel Tree program. This year the need was greater than ever before.

The Salvation Army had over 1,000 more children and seniors in need than last year totaling over 2800 Angels. This caused the Angel Tree program to run through Sunday, Dec. 16 in hopes to get all the Angels adopted. All but 250 Angels were adopted. The Salvation Army had to purchase gifts for these individuals plus the 125 individuals whose gifts were not brought back to the Angel Trees. This shopping was done on Tuesday and Wednesday. The Senior Residences that had their gifts delivered on Monday and Tuesday were notified some seniors would not be receiving their gifts until Friday due to having to shop for those who were not adopted.

The Salvation Army is providing gifts for every person who registered through the Angel Tree program. We are able to do so thanks to the generosity of this community through the red kettles and individual donations. The Salvation Army would like to say "thank you" to everyone who has given this year to help ensure all in need receives a Merry Christmas.

Major Jim Lawrence
Area Commander of The Salvation Army

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I've just finished reading the article about the seniors at the Gateway Towers, and how not enough individuals participated in getting gifts for them this year. Your story just broke my heart, and I had tears riding down my face as I read.

My husband works for UNUM, and they were urged to help out with the Salvation Army angel tree, so, when he brought home the angel card with the name of a 63-year-old female we were to purchase a gift for, my thoughts were, "but, this lady is 63, what about the kids?"

Your article really made me realize that there are so many forgotten seniors during the holiday season. Since my husband and I don't have any children, I realized someday we may be one of those seniors that don't have anyone during the holidays. How heartbreaking would it be not to get one single gift for Christmas?

I only wish that we were able to do more, or that I could have urged some of my friends to participate, and get one of the senior angels' names' so there wouldn't have been over 300 people that didn't get gifts. I was glad to read that the Salvation Army would be purchasing gifts for those that didn't get any.

So, every time we pass one of those red kettles with a volunteer ringing that bell, we should all be reminded of what the donations we give does for the community, and give a little more than we might normally give. After all, someday we might be the one on the receiving end of that bell.

Vicki Herndon