CHARLOTTE, N.C. — For more than 20 years, WCNC Charlotte has teamed up with The Salvation Army for the Magical Toy Drive. Thousands of families in the Charlotte area community are turning to The Salvation Army for support this holiday season. To meet the need, WCNC Charlotte teamed up with Belk and Tropical Smoothie Café to help make the holidays magical for everyone with the Magical Toy Drive.
Shalisha Lewis can’t wait to see her kids' faces when they open up the Christmas gifts. The mom of five has kids ranging in age from 1 to 9 years old.
"You can imagine that is a lot on a mom on Christmas, so this program just helps me out a lot each year," Lewis told WCNC Charlotte's Sarah French.
For the past three years, the Magical Toy Drive has helped her have a special Christmas morning with her children.
"It takes the burden of not having to go out and spend money that I don’t have," Lewis explained.
Jonathan Dean is a first-time volunteer at the Salvation Army’s Christmas Center.
"It's been amazing," Dean told French. "I love seeing the smiles on their faces as I’ve been able to give them their gifts."
There are 2,400 bags in the Salvation Army Christmas Center on North Tryon Street, and each one represents a family.
"We are so honored that the community puts their trust and faith in us from the families that come to us that put their children on the angel tree, and they trust us to provide for that," Major Jason Burns, area commander for the Salvation Army of Greater Charlotte, said.
The Salvation Army said it serves 40 families every 15 minutes at the Christmas Center, and more volunteers are needed. So the WCNC Charlotte team decided to help out as well.
"I just really want to be able to serve and help and love other people," Dean said.
Shalisha said when her kids open up their gifts, they definitely feel the love.
"They are super excited, running to me, showing me everything they got," Lewis said with a smile.
"Christmas with the Salvation Army is a moment that we can come into a family's life, and we help to make a difference in this moment, on this year, for you and your children to have hope that this Christmas is magical, and that you would find peace and joy this season," Burns said.
The Salvation Army needs more volunteers at their Christmas Center. They will be distributing gifts to families Monday and Tuesday as well. More information on how you can volunteer can be found on the Salvation Army's website.
Contact Sarah French at Sarah@wcnc.com and follow her on Facebook, X and Instagram.
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