40 kids helped in only two days

After the Quakake American Legion Isganitis-Heckman-Messerschmitt Post 973 heard that the Tamaqua Salvation Army was short on donations for this year's children's Christmas Angel Tree program, Legion members and volunteers jumped into action by quickly raising and wrapping more than 40 Angel Tree gift package donations in only two days. After Legion members and volunteers went shopping for the items listed each of the Angel Tree cards, they also spent many hours wrapping the hundreds of gifts raised. The Angel Tree program coincides with the Schuylkill Carbon Marine Corps League's Toys For Tots program where no local deserving family will be left without new toys for the holidays. The Salvation Army's Angel Tree program allows caring people to sponsor a child by buying specific toys for a needy child. The Tamaqua Salvation Army and Schuylkill Marine Corps League will give out food and toys Monday Dec. 21 at the Tamaqua Salvation Army for local registered families. The Quakake American Legion is a yearly supporter of the Schuylkill Carbon Marine Corps League Toys For Tots campaign and Tamaqua Salvation Army Angel Tree program. Quakake American Legion Commander Carmen Forke said, "I am very proud for the amount of dedication our Legion members and volunteers had for this two-day project. Some of them were Jacquie Pillsbury, Pat Headley, as well as many other caring volunteers. Next year, we hope to help twice as many needy families." Pictured with some of the Tamaqua Salvation Army Angel Tree donations raised, from left, are Quakake American Legion young volunteer Owen Berezwick, age 10, Quakake American Legion Adjutant Arlen Hummel Jr, Commander Carmen Forke, young volunteer Symone Berezwick, age 13.