Along with Easter, Christmas is a central time in the Christian Year and celebrating Christmas is deeply important for the Salvation Army. To truly embody the central meaning of Christmas and building on the previous year’s positive work we presented various Embassies in Athens with ‘Angel Trees’.
The ‘Angel Tree’ included cards with a child’s name whom we are aware of through our Corps Ministry. Staff at the Embassy who wished to participate took a card and bought a present for the child whose name is on the card. The Salvation Army Angel Tree helped to provide gifts for children in our communities in Thessaloniki and Athens.
During Christmas 2022 The Salvation Army in Greece was delighted that the British Embassy and Embassy of Canada to Greece participated in the ‘Angel Tree’ initiative. This Christmas just gone year our Christmas ‘Angel Tree’ initiative expanded in scope and involved the British, Canadian, German and Swiss Embassies. We were thrilled at the response. The Salvation Army in Greece believes every child deserves to experience the joy of Christmas. The Salvation Army Angel Tree project helped to provide gifts for one hundred and thirty children.
Major Annette Rieder Pell said:
“We are delighted that this Christmas the Angel Tree project expanded and that we partnered with The British Embassy, the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany, The Canadian Embassy and the Swiss Embassy. The response has been terrific and the sense of joy that we see at each Embassy is a massive encouragement. Each gift makes such a difference to each child and their experience of Christmas.”
Ambassador Andreas Kindl, German Ambassador to Greece said:
“Knowing that our Embassy was able to make a small difference in the lives of a few children this year made us very happy. This is the power of giving. Thank you Salvation Army for your initiative and for spreading the Angel Tree message! “
Ambassador Matthew Lodge, British Ambassador to Greece said:
“I was delighted that, once again, that the British Embassy Athens was able to support the Salvation Army’s Angel Tree initiative. The enthusiastic response from my colleagues is indicative of the positive nature of the initiative and also of the joy at being able to make a difference in children’s lives at Christmas time. It is particularly gratifying to see the Angel Tree initiative being embraced by other Embassies.”
Ambassador Karine Asselin, Ambassador of Canada to the Hellenic Republic said:
“We were honoured to have participated, for the second consecutive year, in the Salvation Army’s Angel Tree initiative. It brings us great joy to contribute in our small way to the magic of giving, ensuring that every child experiences the enchantment of Christmas morning. We applaud the Salvation Army for their excellent initiative.”
Ambassador Stefan Estermann, Ambassador of Switzerland to Greece said:
“We were very happy to participate in the Angel Tree Initiative with the Salvation Army this Christmas just gone. Giving the chance to so many kids to enjoy the festivities and offering many presents make us proud and really marks our engagement to the community of Athens and its children. It is very important to us that all children enjoy the festivities and Christmas’ Spirit.”
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To help resource the ongoing mission of The Salvation Army in Greece please go to this link – https://salvationarmy.gr/donate/