Finally

[Freakbabydoll]

Walmart reverses Angel Tree stance

By Jeff Haldiman [e-mail]

Published: Thursday, November 26, 2009 6:12 AM CST

"I think this is what the community wants, and good traditions are hard to break." That was the feeling Wednesday of Maj. Kendall Matthews after the army was allowed to put up its Angel Tree at the Walmart on West Stadium Boulevard in Jefferson City.

Walmart corporate officials had made a decision to not set up the trees, from which community members take a tag that lists the wishes of a child in need.

"It's unfortunate it came to this, but this is the power of community pressure," Matthews said after putting the tree up himself. "I talked with the store manager who said it was corporate and not the local management that made this decision. I appreciate their position because corporate folks don't think about how it affects communities."

Matthews said there are 250 tags on the tree, and they would have had to fill them some other way if they didn't have the tree up. He added that 10 different groups, in addition to Walmart now, have reversed their decisions and are allowing Angel Trees to be put up.

Matthews said the tree will be up until all the tags are taken.

Officials at Walmart's corporate offices in Bentonville, Ark., could not be reached for comment in time for this story.

Many in Our Area Was very Glad When this was announced. Very glad Walmart is now allowing the angel Trees Again i know i personally Am able to buy for these Trees. But without them in stores We had to drive 30mins to pick a childs list up and drop them off.