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For Washington County teen Hannah Ross, "Sweet 16" never looked so good. That's because for Hannah, it really is better to give than to receive.
Har-Ber High School sophomore Hannah Ross isn't your typical teen. On her sixteenth birthday, she was looking forward to all the gifts she would get, but the presents would never belong to her.
Ross says when her volleyball team volunteered for the Salvation Army's Angel Tree program last year, she was shocked and saddened by how many kids were left "hanging" without a single gift. "They were asking for toys and shoes, and we'd go around trying to find them, but when we didn't have it, I felt bad, and I just want them to get what they're asking for." So this Christmas season, Hannah's taking action herself. "This year for my birthday party instead of me getting gifts and everyone bringing me things, I asked them to bring toys for the little kids, so they could have things for Christmas."
Now Ross is hoping the idea catches on, because she says every single gift will make a difference to the child that receives it. For people still wanting to get in on donating to Angel Tree, time is running out. The deadline to turn in toys is December 1st, this Tuesday.
Angels may be picked up at the Northwest Arkansas Mall or area Walmart stores, and toys may be dropped back off at those same locations, or at any area Salvation Army.
Major Tim Williford of the Salvation Army says they may extend the December 1st deadline because so many angels are still on the trees, but he adds, the response has been pretty good this year, for people picking up gifts for kids.
Gift distribution is slated for December 17th and 18th.
Har-Ber High School sophomore Hannah Ross isn't your typical teen. On her sixteenth birthday, she was looking forward to all the gifts she would get, but the presents would never belong to her.
Ross says when her volleyball team volunteered for the Salvation Army's Angel Tree program last year, she was shocked and saddened by how many kids were left "hanging" without a single gift. "They were asking for toys and shoes, and we'd go around trying to find them, but when we didn't have it, I felt bad, and I just want them to get what they're asking for." So this Christmas season, Hannah's taking action herself. "This year for my birthday party instead of me getting gifts and everyone bringing me things, I asked them to bring toys for the little kids, so they could have things for Christmas."
Now Ross is hoping the idea catches on, because she says every single gift will make a difference to the child that receives it. For people still wanting to get in on donating to Angel Tree, time is running out. The deadline to turn in toys is December 1st, this Tuesday.
Angels may be picked up at the Northwest Arkansas Mall or area Walmart stores, and toys may be dropped back off at those same locations, or at any area Salvation Army.
Major Tim Williford of the Salvation Army says they may extend the December 1st deadline because so many angels are still on the trees, but he adds, the response has been pretty good this year, for people picking up gifts for kids.
Gift distribution is slated for December 17th and 18th.
