Grown-up ‘Angel Tree’ kids remind us how important giving is this time of year

While it may appear to be a vain attempt at generating views and clicks at first glance, former Angel Tree recipients who are all grown up now are stitching videos of influencers filming themselves going Angel Tree shopping and saying how much they appreciate it. They hope it inspires other people with money to do the same this year and help another kid. 

The Salvation Army Angel Tree program helps provide Christmas gifts to thousands of children across the country each year, per their website. 

“@Maybashleymarie” shares in a now-viral video that she was a former Angel Tree kid, and she still has all of the gifts she asked for as an adult. 

She said that there was stuff that she wanted and stuff she really needed, because as a kid in a shelter, you really only have the clothes on your back and that’s it. She asked for hoop earrings, converse shoes (didn’t have to be name brand), black eyeliner, and a Playboy Bunny blanket.’’

“I have to say I am so thankful to all of these influencers and all these people with real money to be able to go out and actually buy gifts for these kids, because you have absolutely no idea, NO IDEA the difference that it makes in their lives and how it will be lifetime memories for them,” she said.

Former Angel Tree kid Hannah tearfully shared on her TikTok @hannahscelestialcorner that she just wants everyone to know how much this means to those kids. She too mostly asked for essential items, “as most kids do because that’s what they needed,” she said, but she also asked for a stuffed animal and “something Tinkerbelle.” 

She showed viewers that she still has those items and they were very loved. She showed her stuffed monkey, and said it was one of her favorite Christmases and she remembered it very vividly. And the stuffing had been loved off. Then she shows her Tinkerbell night light she still has as an adult. 

“I just want you guys to know that these kids will remember this for the rest of their lives, so thank you,” she says at the end of her video. 
If you’d like to sign up to participate in shopping for children in need for the Angel Tree program, contact your local Salvation Army Corps in your area, or you can sign up at your local Walmart.