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According to its website, https://saangeltree.org, The Salvation Army’s Angel Tree program “helps provide Christmas gifts for hundreds of thousands of children around the country each year.” 

Winchester certainly wouldn’t be one place that came up short in allowing youth to enjoy the spirit of the holidays. 

Hundreds of toys were delivered to children throughout Clark County thanks to the Angel Tree program. 

During the Winchester City Commission meeting on Tuesday, December 17, Commissioner Shannon Cox – reacting to a request for an update by Mayor JoEllen Reed – spoke further. 

“This is a thing that the entire city of Winchester needs to be proud of,” he said. “We will serve 719 kids this year with the Angel Tree [program]. We do not have a kid left on a tree.” 

For example, on the morning of Monday, December 17, toys were delivered to kids at Phoenix Academy – located at 650 Boone Avenue – as the holiday season approached. 

“Every kid at Phoenix Academy had an angel on the tree,” said Shannon Cox, Winchester City Commissioner and Salvation Army volunteer. “[It’s] a feel good story for Christmas.” 

Along with Cox, others who played a significant role included community volunteer Tamara Boyken, Rachel and Randy Ross, and Haley Turner – a counselor at Phoenix Academy. 

Many gifts – whether in Amazon boxes or those wrapped in bags – were dropped off at The Engine House Pizza Pub on 9 West Lexington Avenue. 

Chad and Jill Walker serve as owners of the establishment. 

“I talked to Chad and Jill and they said, ‘bring them all down!” stated Cox, noting a spirit of charitability. 

On Thursday, December 19, in addition to hosting a hot chocolate bar and more, gifts were given away for the enjoyment of students at Phoenix Academy. 

Spreading holiday joy – whether at Phoenix Academy or elsewhere – is something that Cox and others find honor to, and hope others will remember. 

“Older kids…sometimes, they [feel] left out,” he said. “We take care of our kids. We always have, and we always will.”