The Salvation Army Goes Hi-Tech, Partners With Start-Up To Bring Angel Tree Program Online

SOUTH LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — The Salvation Army Southern California has partnered with a start-up to bring its beloved Angel Tree program online this year.

A group of college students from North Carolina, who built the online e-commerce company CommuniGift, were at the Siemon Family Youth & Community Center in South Los Angeles Tuesday to demonstrate how to use the program.

Through CommuniGift, donors can shop online for a holiday gift for a boy or girl in need and have the present shipped directly to The Salvation Army Corps where that child has been registered for Christmas social services.

"Donors can come to our site, read about Salvation Army's families, and then purchase gifts for them right on the site," CommuniGift's Taylor Sharp said.

Each year, The Salvation Army's Angel Tree Program provides toys and clothing for tens of thousands of deserving families across the Southland.

The Salvation Army, which has been supporting those in need across the United States for 126 years, gives assistance to more than 35 million Americans annually.

"Christmas was a really special holiday for all of us growing up, and we wanted to find a way to kind of extend that to those who are maybe less fortunate, and were in the position we were growing up," Communigift's Thomas Doochin said.

While the service is nationwide, donors can localize their donations as well, making it easy to find local families to help.

To learn more about CommuniGift, visit their website here.