Big Business Making A Happy Holiday For Others

Thousands of Green Country families are looking for a little help this holiday season. Thanks to the <a href="http://www.salvationarmytulsa.org/christmasassistance.asp" target="_blank">Salvation Army's

Friday, November 16th 2007, 4:08 pm

By: News On 6

Thousands of Green Country families are looking for a little help this holiday season. Thanks to the Salvation Army's Angel Tree, they won't have to look too far. The News On 6 anchor Terry Hood reports some big businesses in Tulsa are pitching in.

Each year nearly 5,000 kids in the Angel Tree program come close to falling through the cracks. That's where corporate Tulsa steps up to make sure those children have a Merry Christmas.

A festive Angel Tree sits in the lobby of the American Airlines facility in north Tulsa. It is covered with festive tags. On one side, you'll find some Christmas decor, on the other a Christmas wish list.

"We have a tremendous need this year. We've already done our registration and we have over 4,500 families which equals about 15,000 kids again this year,â€ said Brad Borrer with the Salvation Army of Tulsa.

Of those 15,000, the Salvation Army says nearly 5,000 kids come close to being left out. That's where the corporate Angel Tree fills the need.

"We have super people here. The employees here are always willing to do whatever it takes,â€ said Carmine Romano with American Airlines.

This year, 7,000 employees at American Airlines are taking on the role of Santa's elves.

"It's a great way, a simple way, to give back to the community and also give back to people that are definitely in need,â€ said American Airlinesâ€™ Carmine Romano.

So far, American Airlines has already filled a goody bag for more than a thousand kids. That puts the Salvation Army one step closer to giving a little boy or little girl a Merry Christmas.

"The response has been fantastic. I hear that as they were putting the trees up the angels were just flying off the tree. The employees in the break room where the trees are set up are talking about how it gets them in the giving spirit,â€ said Brad Borrer with the Salvation Army of Tulsa.

The Salvation Army says it's not too late for other companies to volunteer for the corporate program.

For more information on the Salvation Army's program, click here.

Watch the video: Angel Tree Brings Hope For Area Children