Angel tree campaign begins

    HOULTON — The Salvation Army of Houlton, in conjunction with Walmart, JCPenney, Marden’s Machias Bank, the Houlton Federal Credit Union and the Wesleyan Church, has launched its “Angel Tree Giving” campaign.
    From now until Christmas, customers can adopt families and shop for  “angels” providing children facing hardships in the community with Christmas gifts. The Salvation Army’s Angel Tree program has been in operation for more than 40 years. Last year, the program provided 403 toys for 230 children in the area.
Houlton Pioneer Times Photo/Gloria Austin
ANGEL TREE — Capt. Irma Pearl of the Houlton Salvation Army puts an angel on a Christmas tree at Mardens Monday afternoon to kick-off the annual Angel Tree Campaign. From now until Christmas, customers can adopt families and shop for  “angels” providing children facing hardships in the community with Christmas gifts.
    The Salvation Army is an evangelical part of the Universal Christian church that was established in London in 1865. Each year, the Salvation Army provides a broad array of social services that range from providing food for the hungry, outreach to the elderly and clothing and shelter to the homeless, as well as opportunities for under-privileged children. A total of 82 cents of every dollar spent is used to support these services in the community.