Tulsa parents begin picking up Christmas gifts at the Salvation Army's Joy Center

Monday, December 20th 2004, 9:20 am

By: News On 6

One Tulsa store has lots of items, but, no price tags. The Salvation Army makes sure thousands of needy Oklahomans have a Merry Christmas, letting them "shop" for their Christmas gifts for free!

News on 6 anchor Terry Hood says this effort is the result of months and months of planning and donations. After folks donate to our News on 6 Angel Tree, their gifts come to the Salvation Army's Joy Center at 7201 East 38th Street.

Parents could start coming to the Joy Center Monday to pick up presents for their adopted angels. It's an operation that takes 200 volunteers to make sure everything runs without a hitch. Folks from 14 to 80 years old spent the day handing out gifts and making Christmas wishes come true.

Salvation Army volunteer Daniel Hogan: "Oh, some of them are just ecstatic. They really are. They just, you know, Oh my! You know, they're just really happy because they know they're kids are going to be happy for Christmas."

Angela Williams, mom: â€œIt means a lot because now I can see what my kids' expressions are when they open up their presents underneath the tree, because I can't get them anything this year, and I think just their smiling faces will be great."

The Salvation Army will be handing out presents all week, so if you're still thinking of donating, don't think you've missed your chance.