Salvation Army gives out collected donations

Friday was the organization’s distribution day.

One mother of seven can’t thank the Salvation Army enough for giving her family the Christmas they needed. Arleshia Hall didn’t want to put up a Christmas tree this year because she didn’t know if she would have any presents to put underneath it.

Hall quit her job this year to take care of her one-year-old son. She calls him her “Miracle Baby” because he was born with his heart on the wrong side of his chest. He underwent his second open heart surgery in September.

Hall found hope in the Salvation Army. She picked up a shopping cart full of presents for her children at their gift distribution day on Friday.

The Salvation Army will serve more than 2,200 people this Christmas. Distribution day is Major Alan Hill’s favorite part of the organization’s donation program.

“Today’s the day that your work all pays off because you see it in the tears and the families that can’t even say thank you. You’re just totally amazed,” Major Hill said.

A variety of different people and companies made this day possible and Major Hill has a special message for them.

“Thank you Middle Georgia. We could not have done it without you. There’s absolutely no way,” said Major Hill.