Be an angel:

Help area children have a bright holiday this year

 

The International Drive Improvement District is again partnering with the Salvation Army, along with WKMG Local 6, for its 13th annual Angel Tree program for the 2014 holiday season. I-Drive’s goal is to provide new clothing for 700 children in the Orange County community.

 

Since 1865, the Salvation Army has supported those in need with this nationally recognized program that provides new clothing or toys for underprivileged children. The structure of the program makes it easy and convenient for everyone to help a child during the holidays.

 

This year, more than 4,000 disadvantaged children are registered for the program and the Salvation Army, along with its partners such as I-Drive, plan to brighten the holiday season for thousands of children in the community.

 

“There are so many families who have been impacted by the economy and need a helping hand this year,” says Luann Brooks, executive director of the International Drive Improvement District. This year, 30 plus I-Drive industry businesses are participating in the program. It is an easy way for anyone to help a family in need during the holiday.”

 

Participating accommodations, attractions, restaurants and other businesses in the I-Drive area place a Christmas tree in a secure, high-employee traffic area. The tree is decorated with numbered paper angel tags with the first name, age and gender of a child who will receive a gift of new clothing. Contributors remove one or more tags from the tree and purchase the appropriate clothing for the child or children described on the tags. The sponsoring organization also serves as a secure collection point for the gifts.

 

All “angels” are invited to enjoy holiday treats when they drop off their donation. The “Angels on I-Drive” open house takes place Dec. 9 from 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. at the I-Drive District office located at 7081 Grand National Drive, Suite 105. Please R.S.V.P. to Zina Talsma at 407-248-9590 or ztalsma@idrivedistrict.com.

 

The District began participating in this program in 2002 and each year it continues to grow. This year, the District plans to distribute more than 700 angels to its partners and to provide new clothing for children within the Orange County community. The objective is to provide gifts of only new clothing for as many children as possible whose families registered for holiday assistance or children from child care centers and foster homes.

 

For more information and to purchase a $25 Angel, call 407-248-9590 or e-mail ztalsma@idrivedistrict.com.

Nov. 2014