South Bend families who had signed up for the Salvation Army's Adopt a Family program picked up their presents Saturday. Families sign up to adopt a family for the holiday season. They then buy toys and food for them. Volunteers gathered at the distribution center Saturday to load the gifts and food into the adopted families cars. The volunteers said it was great to see the joy that it brought the families. "To participate in something like this is a good reminder that there are still good people out there and people willing to sacrifice their time to help others rather than to take something away," said Kati Stonebriaker.
And one volunteer is getting an early start in helping those in need. 12 year old Christopher Barnes was by Cadet Stephen DeLacy's side all day helping to give presents to families. He said he does it because he knows what it's like to almost not have a Christmas. "It reminds me of two years ago when we weren't going to have Christmas but then somebody, my grandpas buddy gave us just 100 dollars to pay for Christmas presents and I think that's basically what we're doing here today," said Barnes.
