CLAY COUNTY—Salvation Army Capt. Julie Chamberlain remembers getting a coloring book and crayons for Christmas as a child.

It was part of the Angel Tree program, and it proved to be the most memorable gift because it filled an empty emotional and material void in her life.

“When you’re not expecting anything, it’s a lot,” she said. “That’s why the Angel Tree program means so much to me; I know it makes a big difference.”

Along with husband Mike, the Chamberlains are the Corps Officers for the Salvation Army of Clay County. They kicked off their Christmas season campaign last weekend at the Orange Park Mall by putting Angel Tree tags on a tree in the Food Court and announcing its annual Red Kettle program is underway at selected locations.

In addition to the mall and the Corps Offices at 2795 County Road 220 in Middleburg, Angel Tree tags are at Loaded T Nutrition at  104 College Dr., Suite 5, in Orange Park.

The Angel Tree program collects gift wishes from registered children 12 and younger and seniors in the Silver Bells Program who likely wouldn’t receive gifts or personal items during the holidays. Gracious donors can take an Angel Tree tag, fill items from the list and return them to the mall's main office, the Corps Offices or Loaded T Nutrition. The bag of toys and personal items will then be distributed to the family or a guardian in time for Christmas.

A year ago, it took three days to distribute the collected toys, clothes, bicycles and toiletries, the Chamberlains said. They gave away 449 bags, including 43 to Clay County Guardian Ad Litem Office for abused, neglected or abandoned children who’ve been placed with a relative or friend.

“The Bible tells us that we’ll always have the poor among us. That’s fine,” Julie Chamberlain said last year. “The Salvation Army will be there to serve.”