Bryan/College Station Salvation Army annual holiday campaign is underway

This podcast is a recording of the Bryan/College Station Salvation Army holiday campaign kickoff program that took place November 15, 2024.

The Bryan/College Station Salvation Army's annual holiday campaign is underway.

Friday's program (November 15) at Blue Baker restaurant on University begins the adoption of children who will receive gifts through the Angel Tree program and the recruitment of volunteer bell ringers at Red Kettle locations.

Angel Trees are located at various businesses around Bryan and College Station, including Blue Baker's three locations. The trees will be decorated with paper angels, each representing a local child. 

Community members who participate are asked to drop off gifts for their Angel Tree recipient by Wednesday, December 11th.

Adopting a child and volunteering as a Red Kettle bell ringer can also be done online. Click HERE to be directed to the B/CS Salvation Army website.

And limited-edition Angel Cookies will be available for purchase at all three Blue Baker locations from Friday, November 15th through Sunday November 17th while supplies last. Proceeds from cookie sales will directly benefit Angel Tree.

Friday's kickoff program began with Salvation Army captain Luis Villanueva introducing local barbershop quartet Tetrachord, who sang holiday songs.That was followed by a welcome and prayer from Salvation Army captain Marianne Villanueva.

Speakers, in order of appearance, were Bryan mayor pro tem James Edge, College Station councilman Mark Smith, B/CS Salvation Army board chairman Stephen Vincent, College Station mayor John Nichols, Blue Baker president Zach Langenkamp, Bryan Broadcasting's Allison Harrell, Aggie Salvation Army philanthropy committee chairman Austin Moses, and Texas A&M junior Charlie Borowczak, who has participated in Angel Tree campaigns in multiple communities since he was six years old.

Following a ceremonial ribbon cutting, the program concluded with music from Tetrachord that ended with a sing-a-long with those in the audience.