The Chautauqua County Town and Village Highway Superintendents Association met at the Lakewood Rod and Gun Club to host its annual toy collection event, benefiting the Salvation Army’s Angel Tree program.

Each year, the Salvation Army’s Angel Tree program provides three Christmas gifts for each child of low-income families who participate in the program. The program involves children’s names being place on tags on an “Angel Tree” that is displayed in businesses such as Walmart and local banks.

Members of the Chautauqua County Town and Village Highway Superintendents Association have been helping support the Salvation Army’s Angel Tree program for almost 20 years.

“They do this event for us every year,” Major John Merchant said. “It really does help us at the end of our Christmas season as we’re getting ready to give out gifts to be able to take these and match these up with kids that we haven’t received any presents for. It makes a huge difference, especially on Christmas day, when they’re opening up their presents.”

Pictured are gifts donated by the Chautauqua County Town and Village Highway Superintendents Association to the Salvation Army to help children in need this Christmas. P-J photo by Timothy Frudd

Merchant explained the Superintendents Association typically contributes at least 300 presents for the Angel Tree program. Greg Hallberg, treasurer of the Chautauqua County Town and Village Highway Superintendents Association, estimated between 300-500 gifts were donated this year.

“It’s about normal,” he said. “It’s gotten bigger every year.”

Hallberg said the association’s contribution has been fairly consistent over the past few years, the with association outpacing the donation of other comparable organizations due to the size and commitment of its members.

One of the main things Hallberg appreciates about the Salvation Army’s Angel Tree program is that the association’s donation benefits local children in the county.

“I like that it all stays right here in our county,” he said. “It’s a good thing.”

In addition to the toy collection donation, Hallberg said the association also provides a cash donation to the Salvation Army. Between the cash donation and toy collection, Hallberg said it is easy to “get choked up” when considering the potential impact the Salvation Army will be able to have on children in the community.

Merchant explained the impact of the Chautauqua County Town and Village Highway Superintendents Association and the Salvation Army’s Angel Tree program is significant during the Christmas season.

“Can you imagine a kid waking up Christmas and not having any presents?” Merchant asked. “Some of these parents that we’re helping out, they don’t have the money to give more than one or two presents, and now they’re going to be receiving the three from all of us. It means a lot to us, because without them, we never know from one year to the next whether or not we’re going to have enough gifts for us to take care of all our children. It is of great importance for us.”