GALLIPOLIS — The numbers are in and Gallia County residents have officially come through for their neighbors in a big way through the Angel Tree project this holiday season.

According to the final tally, 840 local youths were served along with 87 senior citizens. In addition, 100 families received food boxes containing a variety of items and more than 300 coats and hats were given away. Youth mainly received items of clothing and toys, while seniors were generally provided basic necessities.

The names of those served came from applications obtained at the Gallia County Department of Job and Family Services, referrals through city and county school nurses, Children’s Services, and Help Me Grow. Donation programs offered annually through organizations like the Kiwanis Club, Lyons Club, and the Senior Citizens Center were consolidated into the Angel Tree project bringing in toys, coats, and food, among other items, as well as cutting down on duplication of services.

As one enthusiastic volunteer stated, “The collaborative effort was a huge success!”

Churches picked tags off of trees by the dozens and area businesses donated bikes, toys, money and more to the cause. A handful of volunteers worked late into the evening on several occasions to organize gifts, essentials, and wrapping paper into numbered bags for pick-up. Volunteers came out in droves to pack food boxes and pass out gift bags.

However, perhaps the most impressive action came from the individual community members who spent their time and money anonymously shopping for local youths and seniors in need. In a county that has never really been at a financial advantage, it has been remarkably moving to see the members of this community come together to take care of their own, particularly during a significant economic downturn.

Angel Tree volunteers especially want to thank everyone who gave their money and time to make this Christmas a better one for the those in need in Gallia County.