Salvation Army makes sure children will wake up to Christmas toys, clothes
CLAY COUNTY – Capt. Julie Chamberlain prays there will be a time when there won’t be families in need, especially at Christmas time. But the reality is, while circumstances often change, there …
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Salvation Army makes sure children will wake up to Christmas toys, clothes
CLAY COUNTY – Capt. Julie Chamberlain prays there will be a time when there won’t be families in need, especially at Christmas time. But the reality is, while circumstances often change, there will always be people going without.
“I don’t see that happening,” she said after her organization distributed 492 bags of toys, clothes and toiletries during a three-day event last week. “The Bible tells us that we’ll always have the poor among us. That’s fine. The Salvation Army will be there to serve.”
Julie was joined by her husband Capt. Mike Chamberlain, other Salvation Army officials and a host of volunteers. The group gave away 449 bags, including bicycles, at the organization’s headquarters on County Road 220. On Friday, an additional 43 bags were given to Clay County Guardian ad Litem Office officials for abused, neglected or abandoned children who’ve been placed with a relative or friend.
It took one Guardian ad Litem worker an extended moment to compose herself while volunteers unloaded the gifts at the Clay County Courthouse. Because of the sensitive nature of her work, she asked not to be identified.
“Some of these kids, if it weren’t for these donations to the Guardian ad Litem Foundation, they wouldn’t receive Christmas,” she said. “We are helping children that are placed with family and non-relatives. This might be the only Christmas they’ll get.”
The Chamberlains decided to invite families back into their headquarters and sanctuary. The COVID-19 pandemic forced them to hand out gifts with a drive-through. This year, children and families were entertained by a Christian Christmas magician while volunteers sorted through the orders before they were taken to their cars.
“It was very nice,” Julie Chamberlain said. “We did it a bit differently this year than we usually do, but it was really good.”
Julie said every child who requested through the Angel Tree Program received a gift bag.
In addition to getting support from the community to fill Christmas gift requests, the Salvation Army was generously supported by Fields Automotive, HCA Florida Orange Park Hospital, Parallon, Kirkwood Presbyterian, Moos Lodge, Soaring Eagles, Orange Park Presbyterian, Trinity Community Church, Agape Chiropractic, Career Source, Ladybird Academy of Oakleaf, Advent Lutheran Church, Orange Park Mall, Artgerm Collectables and VyStar Credit Union.
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