OCWA–Central New York’s Water Authority–recently participated in the Salvation Army’s annual Angel Tree program in an effort to spread joy to struggling families during the holidays. The program involves local businesses and retail locations hosting special Angel Trees that allow donors to adopt “angels” by selecting a tag with the needs of local families. The donor fulfills the Christmas wishes on the tag by selecting age-appropriate gifts of toys and clothing and returning the unwrapped gifts to the location on the tag.

OCWA and its employees have supported this important Christmas initiative for over a decade.  “It makes the season brighter for both our employees and the families receiving the gifts,” said OCWA Executive Director Mike Hooker.

This year, 23 OCWA employees participated in the program and filled 46 Angel requests.  Gifts included anything from face masks and clothing items, to craft sets and educational toys.  The gifts were recently delivered to the Salvation Army’s Emergency Family Shelter in Syracuse.

OCWA employees Jacob Acey (left) and Kyle Haines-McLaughlin (right) deliver donated “Angel” gifts to the Salvation Army’s David Dean