Around 50 kids in Pocatello still need to be ‘adopted’ as part of KLCE’s 97 angels
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POCATELLO — A local radio station is trying to get the word out about children in need this Christmas season.
Classy 97 is partnering with the Salvation Army for the station’s annual KLCE’s 97 Angels. People can go to it’s website and find kids in need, known as “Christmas Angels,” and help them have a magical holiday.
“It really brings home that spirit of giving during the holidays, and I think that’s really special,” said Josh Tielor, Program Director of KLCE Classy 97.
This is part of the Salvation Army’s Angel Tree program, where children in need share their Christmas wish list. People “adopt” the kids, which means that they go shopping for the items on the child’s wish list.
While all of the Christmas Angels in Idaho Falls have been adopted, the station still has around fifty kids in Pocatello who haven’t been adopted yet.
Friday is the deadline for adopters to deliver presents to the Salvation Army. Gifts in Pocatello should be delivered to 400 North 4th Avenue. In Idaho Falls, they should be delivered to 605 North Boulevard.
If the adopter isn’t able to get everything on the list, they’re still encouraged to buy what they can for the child.
“It really is about doing what you can,” Tielor said.
Captain Ernie Evans of the Salvation Army’s Pocatello outpost said participating in the Angel Tree program gives families two opportunities.
“It’s the opportunity to spread joy to people in the community who might have lost a little bit of joy because of circumstances and it’s also an opportunity to show your children how to help others and have fun doing it,” Evans said.
Thanks to the efforts of the community and the Salvation Army, the angels who are adopted will have plenty of presents to open on the holiday.
“There’s really nothing better than the smile on a kid’s face Christmas morning, and by participating you get to help make that happen,” Tielor said. “It’s easy for everybody to get caught up in the hustle and bustle and the consumerism of the holiday that becomes so prevalent. This is a great reminder of that real spirit of giving.”