The Record Newspapers - Hometown News For Orange County, Texas

Each year, several organizations work to be able to provide Christmas for those in need. The Orange Christian Services, the Salvation Army and the Bridge City-Orangefield Ministerial Alliance have worked very diligently to bring Christmas to thousands of people who might not have been to have one without their help.

Food, clothes and toys have been all be generously donated from members in our community to help these organizations put a smile on some very deserving faces this Christmas.

Lists from the Bridge City-Orangefield Ministerial Alliance and Salvation Army were shared with the Orange Christian Services to prevent any one family from getting duplicates.

"Even though there's been sign-ups with the Salvation Army and Bridge City [Ministerial Alliance], there are still families that did not get to sign up," Judy Jensen said.

Every family that signs up with OCS must go through an interview process and certain documentation proving the children do live in their household must be provided.

"We're excited," Jensen said. "We're becoming a toy store down here."

Jensen explained that people will start lining up at their door around 7:30 a.m. on even though their doors won't open until 9 a.m. Numbers and an instruction sheet will be given when people sign in Tuesday morning.

Funding for holiday themed food boxes was not available to OCS this year, but they did receive a generous grant which allowed them to purchase a few holiday foods for the food bags. Food bags donations started on Dec. 1 and will continue until Thursday.

The Salvation Army in Orange started doing sign ups for their Angel Tree program in October. The Angels were sent out to the different agencies just before Thanksgiving so they could be put on their trees just after Thanksgiving.

“Our numbers for toys and food has gone up from last year,” Captain Michael Cox, said. “Families are still calling. We’ve been very blessed by the community and most of our angels have been adopted.”

The Salvation Army has been receiving the gifts for the Angels since the end of November, but has really seen an increase this week. They have been able to prepare Christmas presents for over 500 angels and those will be available for pick up on Wednesday.

The workers at the Salvation Army and Orange Christian Services are working hard to be able to get all the gift prepared in time for pick up.

There has been a significant increase in numbers for those seeking assistance, but the community has stepped up to help their neighbors and friends out.

The Salvation Army and the Orange Christian Services work year around to be able to help those in need. Food and social services, including financial services are offered to those to qualify. Their diligent work to help the community never ceases.

For more information on Orange Christians Services, please call 409-886-0938. For more information on the Salvation Army in Orange, please call 409-883-4232.