Attorney General & The Salvation Army Partner for Statewide Christmas Angel Program

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 7, 2015

Attorney General Contact: James Hallinan, (505) 660-2216

Salvation Army Contact: Jessica Doria, (505) 988-8054, [email protected]

Donations of new, unwrapped toys and clothing accepted at Albuquerque, Las Cruces and Santa Fe offices of the Attorney General through December 15th

Santa Fe, NM – Attorney General Hector Balderas and The Salvation Army announced today they are teaming up to give a boost to the Christmas Angel 2015 donation drive across New Mexico. The
Attorney General is asking New Mexicans to donate new, unwrapped toys and clothing items for infants to 17 year-olds in Albuquerque, Santa Fe and Las Cruces through December 15, 2015. Donations of new toys and clothing dropped off at Office of the Attorney General locations will allow The Salvation Army help even more families in need celebrate the holidays across New Mexico.

“During Christmas time many families who can’t make ends meet turn to The Salvation Army for assistance with food and toys for their children.” said Jessica Doria, commanding officer of the Santa Fe Salvation Army. “This year, we have seen an increase in working families who are financially struggling. Paying bills and rent is a priority, which means that they might end up with little or no money left to purchase gifts for their children or purchase food for a Christmas meal. We thank New Mexico donors and the Office of the Attorney General for the many children and families they will help through the Christmas Angel Program.”

“Adults understand if there is no money to purchase a gift, but for children getting a Christmas gift means the world,” said Attorney General Hector Balderas. “I’m asking New Mexicans to lend a helping hand to families in need this holiday season by participating in The Salvation Army’s Christmas Angel Program across the state.”

The Salvation Army requests that gifts be new and unwrapped. If the donor would like to include gift wrap, they may do so. Each Christmas Angel family is given an appointment to come to pick up their
items. The family picks up their gifts, along with a food box and/or gift card for a Christmas dinner which includes turkey and all the trimmings. The Salvation Army tries to have the following per child: 2-3 toys, clothing item(s) and shoes.

Donations Accepted at the Following Locations from 9 AM – 5 PM:

Albuquerque Office of the Attorney General, 111 Lomas NW, 1st Floor, Albuquerque, NM 87102

Las Cruces Office of the Attorney General, 201 N. Church St., Ste. 315, Las Cruces, NM 88001

Santa Fe Office of the Attorney General, 408 Galisteo Street, Villagra Building, Santa Fe, NM 87501

# # #