More than 200 families came out Friday to Greenwood’s National Guard Armory to collect toys, bikes and clothing as part of the Adopt-A-Family program.
Adopt-A-Family is sponsored by the Salvation Army and The Greenwood Commonwealth.
This year, all 229 families were adopted.
“It’s going well,” said Lt. Tami Ellis of the Greenwood Salvation Army, as she coordinated the paperwork with the mountains of goodies ready for distribution.
“We’ve been blessed with all the donations from individuals, groups and schools. All the toys have come in, we’re very happy,” she said.
Of course, Ellis said, an undertaking of the size of Adopt-A-Family needs people to make it successful.
“All of our staff and volunteers are working hard. The families have been very happy,” she said.
Initially, the program was to run from 10 a.m. to noon. Ellis said the program was going to continue through 2 p.m. Friday.
One recipient of Adopt-A-Family gifts, Galacia Sanchez, was picking up items for her two children. When asked through an interpreter about how she felt about receiving the gifts, she replied, “good.”
Another beneficiary, Archie Duncan, an adult of Greenwood, waited in line with his wife, Carolyn.
Duncan said he’s received gifts from Adopt-A-Family in the past. “It makes it a little easier,” to go into the Christmas season knowing that total strangers care enough to help him, he said.
Another veteran of Adopt-A-Family is Dorothy Hill, who was in line to pick up gifts for herself and her 12-year-old granddaughter, Brooklyn Banks.
“It makes me feel good,” Hill said.
• Contact Bob Darden at 581-7239 or bdarden@gwcommonwealth.com.
