The Salvation Army, in partnership with Toys For Tots and the Cheer Fund, donated toys to around 2,000 kids this year during their Angel Tree program. 742 of those kids were adopted by churches, organizations, families, and individual people as “angels.” The other 1,250 kids are covered by Toys for Tots and the Cheer Fund.
Lindsay Richardson has seen first-hand how the Cheer Fund impacts the Salvation Army as the Suffolk News-Herald publisher and Cheer Fund board member.
“Through the generous donations received from residents, corporations and non-profit organizations throughout our community, Suffolk Cheer Fund was able to provide $50,000 worth of toys for the children of Suffolk,” Richardson wrote in a statement. “Every penny goes directly back into our community through the toys purchased and distributed through the Salvation Army and the Angel Tree program.”
Captain Karen Twinney at the Salvation Army said the Cheer Fund accounts for about 80% of the kids, and she does her best to make sure the Cheer Fund money goes to kids in Suffolk.