Salvation Army Holds Classes for Angel Tree Assistance

The Salvation Army is reaching out to past Angel Tree recipients, asking them to sign up for the three required life skills classes to become eligible for Angel Tree this year.

If 2014 is the first time a family will receive Angel Tree assistance, they are not required to take any classes. Classes are only required for those who received assistance in 2013. The deadline to take the Salvation Army’s life skills classes is September 9th, 10th, and 11th. So far, only 15 people have signed up.

Major Gary Sturdivant, Area Commander, says, “We’re trying to be proactive. We’re trying to help them to get ahead instead of staying in a rut. So what we’ve said to them, we’re going to offer these classes for you throughout the year. Three classes you will be required to take to sign up for Christmas again this year. Because funds for us are so tight for us here on the Coast and we want to help everyone, but we just can’t sometimes.”

Last year, 1,500 children received a present through the Angel Tree program in Harrison, Stone, and Pearl River Counties.