JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Thousands of toys, clothing and other items will be distributed to parents and guardians on Wednesday so their children can open a gift this Christmas.
It is all part of the Salvation Army of Northeast Florida’s annual “Angel Tree” program to help make Christmas special for children in the area.
Recommended Videos
In the past, the distribution was held at the old JCPenney at the mall. But this year, the distribution will be at a new location.
Wednesday’s distribution will be held at what used to be the Bealls department store at Regency Square Mall.
The spot may be different, but the mission is the same — to make Christmas Day special for those who are struggling financially.
According to the Salvation Army, approximately 2,000 children were registered to participate in this year’s distribution.
Generous donors and businesses from the community provided toys, clothing, and other items to distribute to parents and guardians. Those who want to help usually take a kid’s wishlist and buy the items on that list.
Then they bring those purchased items to the Salvation Army, which sorts them and gets them in order to be given to the child’s parent or guardian on distribution day.
MORE | JEA volunteers assemble hundreds of bikes ahead of Salvation Army Angel Tree distribution
The distribution is not open to the public. Recipients and their families have already registered and have been approved.
The distribution starts at 9 a.m. and goes until 4 p.m.