Christmas Wishes Fulfilled

Santa Claus at work before Christmas in the Mall's Atrium

Christmas in Somerset County, New Jersey, is a season during which expectations for giving and receiving can rise to great heights.  

However, not everyone – even in this area known for its affluence – can afford to buy gifts for all of the deserving kids of all ages in our communities. 

There still remain many pockets of poverty in these environs.  Similarly, lowered levels of income and unemployment brought on by the 2008 financial bubble are sobering reminders of these facts. 

For those reasons, it’s been enormously gratifying to see the generous public response from people like you to the Salvation Army’s “Angel Tree” gift giving initiative which, each year, is supported by the management of the Bridgewater Commons Mall.

Gifts accumulate in fulfillment of "Angle Tree" wishes.

You have transformed the wish tags from one of the two trees strategically placed in the Mall into a Christmas reality for someone.  

There really is a Santa Claus, and it’s been you.   That big red box near the Guest Services counter filled with gifts is the proof.

To those who were able to participate, thanks for having spread Holiday cheer for individuals who otherwise might have been left “unwished.” 

There is, of course, a much deeper meaning to Christmas, but the hospitality associated with your gift giving is a part of it.

So, at the risk of overstating the sentiment, thanks again for your generosity.

Angel Time at the Bridgewater Commons Mall

At about 10:30 AM, two days before Thanksgiving Day, at a time when the Mall was quietly anticipating the crush of Black Friday, Sally, who works on the Mall’s staff, was busy hanging holiday wish cards on the Salvation Army Angel Tree.  

Sally hangs wishes on the Angel tree

There are two such trees at the Mall.  The one that Sally was working on is located on the lower level, in a walkway about half the distance between the new California Pizza Kitchen restaurant and the huge Christmas tree in the atrium at Center Court:  That’s where Santa is doing his job, greeting all of the parents and children.

The second Angel Tree is displayed just outside of Macy’s, on the mid-level of the Mall.  You can’t miss it.  Both trees are now completely festooned with lights, decorations and those precious wish cards which represent as diverse a cross-section of this area’s needy as you could imagine.  

The other tree on the mid-level near Macy's

 Those 
 Angels are of all ages, size, gender, and color – just like you and me.  Yet they all share a common trait.  They would like someone to pick up one of those tags, read about them, and make a wish come true. 

Your task, should you choose to accept it, is very easy:  Each one of those Angel tags bearing a wish shows the person’s first name; age; gender; clothing size if appropriate; or that person’s other gift desire.  

Gift drop-off box, mid-level, Guest Services, Center Court

All you need to do is to purchase the wished-for gift, affix the  person’s tag on it,  and bring it unwrapped to the Guest Services Desk located on the Second Level, Center Court.  There you will find a big red box awaiting you.  Done!

Go ahead.  Be an Angel yourself!

The Angels Came. . . . .

They don’t all have wings.  They don’t all fly. And you can find some right here in the customers who patronize the Bridgewater Commons Mall who have responded to the Salvation Army’s call for help.

Remember those two Angel Wish Trees, one in front of Macy’s on the main floor and the other on the lower level near the courtesy booth?

The wish tags are gone from those trees now, and the evidence that human angels have responded can be seen in the photo of the large box brimming with come-true wishes in front of the customer information booth on the lower level, near Santa’s workshop.

The box is now gone as well, and the gifts are on their way to making Christmas brighter for people whom we don’t really know and whom we will never see. Then again, who knows? Perhaps there will come a time when all those local angels who helped someone have a Merry Christmas will indeed come face-to-face with those they benefited. . . . .

The Angels Came . . .

They don’t all have wings and they don’t all fly. And you can find some right here in the customers who patronize the Bridgewater Commons Mall who have responded to the Salvation Army’s call for help.

Remember those two Angel Wish Trees, one in front of Macy’s on the main floor and the other on the lower level near the courtesy booth?

The wish tags are gone from those trees now, and the evidence that human angels have responded can be seen in the photo of the large box brimming with come-true wishes in front of the customer information booth on the lower level, near Santa’s workshop.

The box is now gone as well, and the gifts are on their way to making Christmas brighter for people whom we don’t really know and whom we will never see. Then again (who knows?), perhaps there will come a time when all those local angels who helped someone have a Merry Christmas will indeed come face-to-face with those they benefited. . . . . .