‘Tis the Season for Giving: LCA Helps Through Angel Tree, Food Drive Programs

LCA employees deliver gifts to the Salvation Army's Angel Tree program.

LCA employees helped deliver holiday cheer to Lehigh Valley families again this year.

Through The Salvation Army’s Angel Tree program, workers donated gifts for 30 children who range in age from 8 months to 12 years old. In the photo above, from left to right, are LCA employees Jason Gruber and Joe Younes; Erica from the Salvation Army; and LCA employees John Maco and Trissina Trusdell.

LCA has participated in the Angel Tree program for many years.

LCA employees also donated non-perishable items to a local food pantry managed by St. Paul’s United Church of Christ, located in Trexlertown. At right, LCA employees Nathan Beitler and Adam Eckley drop off canned goods at the church. 

The church operates the food pantry in partnership with the Second Harvest food bank.

“The giving that our employees do during the holiday season is a sign of the great people we have working at LCA,” says Lehigh County Authority CEO Liesel Gross. “I’m proud of the efforts of our employees, those who coordinated our donations and all who contributed, making the holidays brighter for some neighbors in need, especially the children who are part of the Angel Tree program.”

Angel Tree Tradition

The Angel Tree program provides gifts for children of disadvantaged families. The gifts are given to parents a few days before Christmas. This is so that the child believes they’re from his parents or Santa Claus — preserving the magic of the holiday.

The Angel Tree got its start in 1979. Two Salvation Army majors, Charles and Shirley White, came up with the idea to provide clothing and toys for children during the holiday season at a shopping mall in Lynchburg, Virginia.

When the Whites were transferred to Nashville, Tennessee, three years later, the Angel Tree followed. WSM radio, which airs the Grand Ol’ Opry, heard about the program and became the first co-sponsor. Thanks to the radio station and national publicity, the program became a national tradition.

If you’d like to help The Salvation Army — either for the holidays, or at any time of the year — please call (610) 432-0129 or visit them online at LehighValley.SalvationArmyPA.org.