Perdue donates hundreds of holiday gifts to families in need

SALISBURY, Md. – One by one dozens of Perdue employees loaded up bicycle after tricycle on to the Salvation Army truck Friday.

“The Perdue angels, as we like to call them, have spent weeks if not months purchasing gifts that will go to support almost 800 children across the three lower shore counties,” explains Bill See of Perdue Farms.

These rows of bikes and dozens of bags filled with presents inside will all help spread a little holiday cheer. It’s all through Salvation Army’s Angel Tree program, a program that’s all about giving a hand up to families in need.

“It could be your neighbor you never really know what people are going through, what they’re experiencing and there’s no better way to help spread Christmas cheer than reaching out and doing something for the community,” explains Capt. Christina Tarntham of the Salvation Army.

It’s a tradition Perdue Farms has been taking part in for years and it reminds them how a little kindness goes a long way.

“Knowing that families are struggling for whatever reason, struggling to provide for their children at the holiday season and provide Christmas for them, it’s important for us at Perdue that we can play a small role in that and provide gifts and hopefully put the smile on children’s faces come Christmas morning,” explains See.

But the Salvation Army tells us these gifts bring so much more than a smile to a child’s face.

Capt. Tarntham adds, “It’s not just the children who are excited on Christmas morning to receive their gifts, but it’s also a boost for moms and dads and grandmas and aunts and uncles who are trying to provide for their family.”

This year the Angel Tree program will be helping over 500 families here on the eastern shore, which means about 1,300 kids will be receiving a present under their tree.