Angel Tree Gifts Provide Merry Christmas To Oklahoma Families

The Salvation Army handed out Angel Tree gifts all day Friday. Those toys and gifts are now headed home with some very deserving families.

Everyone in line was full of smiles and even some tears because of the overwhelming feeling parents get when they walk in, sell all the toys and realize they'll be able to put presents under the tree this year.

Bags of toys were loaded into carts, ready to make their way to homes all over town.

The Salvation Army Angel Tree donations ensure that no child goes without a gift under the tree.

For Cathaleina Jackson, a single mother raising six kids, the program makes sure her family has a Christmas.

"I have three nieces and one nephew in the household and a daughter and son of my own. It's me and my godmother raising the children. I recently had surgery in August and she hasn't been able to work," Jackson said.

It's been a tough time for her and it's been especially hard as the holidays get closer.

"Cause right now they have no Christmas gifts under the tree, they think they have nothing. So when they wake up Christmas morning they are going to be truly blessed and happy," Jackson said.

It's thanks to the generosity of others, and the Salvation Army, that Jackson and her children can have a Merry Christmas.

“That's one thing as a parent you don't want, them to go back to school and the other kids talk about what they got and then they're like, ‘well I didn't get nothing,' or ‘I got this one little toy,' so now they'll wake up with something and be happy and hopefully it's what they wanted," Jackson laughed.

That feeling was one shared by most parents picking up toys and food, hoping to provide the best Christmas they can.

"So as long as she gets something, them two get something for Christmas, that is my Christmas right there just to see their smiles. That's the biggest gift I could get, better than any diamond ring, any diamond necklace, anything. My babies smiles are worth it," she said.

More than 9,000 Angel Tree gifts and more than 4,000 food boxes are being distributed.

The Salvation Army said they could still use some volunteers Monday morning to continue passing out gifts.

For more information on how you can help, contact the Tulsa Salvation Army.