Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary organizes toy drive to support Angel Tree

Published 9:17 pm Tuesday, November 24, 2020

Toys and children are synonymous, especially at Christmas.

And to make sure the youngest in the Vicksburg community don’t go without, the Salvation Army sponsors an Angel Tree.

Local residents are called to adopt these “angels” and purchase appropriate gifts for them depending on their age and gender.

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But, in most years, angels go unadopted, but thanks to the efforts of the Vicksburg Chapter of the Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary and their toy drive, those children will not go wanting.

“These are used as fill-in toys for angels who don’t get adopted,” Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary member Jacque Henley said.

This year the toy drive will be held in conjunction with the Holiday Market, Henley said, which is set for Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Vicksburg Commons Shopping Center, formerly the Outlets of Vicksburg.

“Providing it doesn’t rain, we will be outside, close to the restaurant area,” Henley said. “We will be visible for people coming back and forth from the market.”

New, unwrapped toys should be donated for children ranging in age from newborn to age 12.

For those who would like to make a monetary donation, a Red Kettle drive will also be available at the drop-off location.

In the past, Henley said, the Salvation Army has had more than 500 angels, hence making the toy drive one of the biggest projects the auxiliary does besides their soup and salad fundraiser.

The local Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary was organized by a group of 30 women in 1976. The purpose of the Auxiliary is to raise public awareness of the Salvation Army, furnish volunteer workers and facilitate services to the needy, assist in disaster relief, provide leadership in group work, visitation of hospital patients, and fundraising in support of The Salvation Army programs.

About Terri Cowart Frazier

Terri Frazier was born in Cleveland. Shortly afterward, the family moved to Vicksburg. She is a part-time reporter at The Vicksburg Post and is the editor of the Vicksburg Living Magazine, which has been awarded First Place by the Mississippi Press Association. She has also been the recipient of a First Place award in the MPA’s Better Newspaper Contest’s editorial division for the “Best Feature Story.”

Terri graduated from Warren Central High School and Mississippi State University where she received a bachelor’s degree in communications with an emphasis in public relations.

Prior to coming to work at The Post a little more than 10 years ago, she did some freelancing at the Jackson Free Press. But for most of her life, she enjoyed being a full-time stay at home mom.

Terri is a member of the Crawford Street United Methodist Church. She is a lifetime member of the Vicksburg Junior Auxiliary and is a past member of the Sampler Antique Club and Town and Country Garden Club. She is married to Dr. Walter Frazier.

“From staying informed with local governmental issues to hearing the stories of its people, a hometown newspaper is vital to a community. I have felt privileged to be part of a dedicated team at The Post throughout my tenure and hope that with theirs and with local support, I will be able to continue to grow and hone in on my skills as I help share the stories in Vicksburg. When asked what I like most about my job, my answer is always ‘the people.’

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