Pennsauken residents and businesses are pitching in to help children in the community during the holiday season through the Angel Tree program, which collects new, unwrapped toys for families in need.

“The Angel Tree makes a real difference for Pennsauken families in need,” says Elwood “Duke” Martz, director of Pennsauken’s Parks and Recreation Department. “Thanks to the generosity of our community, many children who were going to wake up on Christmas morning without any presents are now going to have a gift under the tree.”

Last year, over 30 Pennsauken families were helped through the Angel Tree program; the initiative for 2014 plans to support the same number of families.

The Angel Tree was started over 20 years ago by then administrator Ken Carruth and Bernie Kofoet, who is now Pennsauken Public Works Superintendent. The two placed a Christmas Tree at the Penn Queen Diner, allowing both patrons and members of the community an opportunity to help their neighbors in need during the holidays. The success of that endeavor turned into today’s Angel Tree program.

Individuals can purchase a new, unwrapped toy and drop it off at the Municipal Building, Route 130 and Merchantville Ave., from Dec. 1 during normal business hours through 4 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 15, or they can make monetary donations to the program.

For more information or to volunteer for the Angel Tree program, contact Pennsauken’s Park and Recreation Department at (856) 665-1000, Ext. 151.