Show Notes
There's nothing quite like the joy on a child's face when they open a Christmas gift chosen just for them. It's the kind of joy that lingers long after the wrapping paper is gone—the joy of being remembered, seen and loved. For more than 40 years, The Salvation Army's Angel Tree program has made that moment possible for children across the country. It has grown into a movement that now brings Christmas joy to more than a million children each year. The idea was simple: invite the community to adopt a child by name, shop for their Christmas wishes, and then return those gifts so they could be placed into the hands of families who might otherwise go without. Behind that simple plan are countless stories of connection and hope—families who breathe a sigh of relief, children who go back to school with new clothes, volunteers who find purpose in serving. Today, you'll hear from people whose lives have been touched by these gifts. Captain Yohani Ortiz shares her own story of receiving gifts as a child and how it shaped her life. And then, you'll hear from Marlene Klotz-Collins, who helped launch the Christmas Angel program in Phoenix and has volunteered faithfully for four decades. Because at Christmastime, joy shows up in many faces—and often, it starts with a simple paper angel. EPISODE SHOWNOTES: Read more. BE AFFIRMED. Get the Good Words email series. JOIN THE HOPEFULS. Get inside the group. WHAT'S YOUR CAUSE? Take our quiz. BE INSPIRED. Follow us on Instagram. DO GOOD. Give to The Salvation Army.
More from At the Frontier
The best ideas often begin with a conversation. At the Frontier is a podcast bringing you into conversations with people thinking, serving, building and asking what comes next for the mission of The Salvation Army.
What if joy isn't just something you feel—but something you do? In this episode, you'll hear from volunteers across The Salvation Army who are showing up in simple, powerful ways—distributing food, helping families in crisis and offering presence when it matters most. Their stories reveal that joy often shows up when we do. If you've ever wondered where to start—or if what you have to offer is enough—this is your invitation. EPISODE SHOWNOTES: Read more. BE AFFIRMED. Get the Good Words email series. FIND YOUR STORY. Get the email course. WHAT'S YOUR CAUSE? Take our quiz. BE INSPIRED. Follow us on Instagram. DO GOOD. Give to The Salvation Army.
Lately, we've been exploring a simple but powerful idea: Joy is meant to be shared. We've heard how stories shape us. How stability restores dignity. How gifts, when given away, multiply. And again and again, we've seen the same pattern: Someone receives help. Hope takes root. And that hope begins to ripple outward. To close this season, we're turning to two recent stories from Caring Magazine—stories that show how that ripple effect is unfolding right now across The Salvation Army's Western Territory. These stories remind us: Joy doesn't always arrive loudly. Sometimes it looks like steady progress. A safe place to sleep. A mentor who checks in. A class that builds confidence. A plan for tomorrow. This is what sharing the joy looks like. Not just inspiration—but transformation. Not just relief—but renewal. Not just help—but the kind of support that makes paying it forward possible. EPISODE SHOWNOTES: Read more. BE AFFIRMED. Get the Good Words email series. FIND YOUR STORY. Get the email course. WHAT'S YOUR CAUSE? Take our quiz. BE INSPIRED. Follow us on Instagram. DO GOOD. Give to The Salvation Army.
Are you loved—or just tolerated? In this episode, Pastor Timothy Jones explores the question at the heart of his book "Fully Beloved": Am I loved? In a culture shaped by comparison, loneliness and performance, many of us quietly strive to prove we're enough. Pastor Jones invites us to discover a deeper freedom—rooted not in achievement, but in grace. Together, we explore how the Trinity reveals a relational God, why insecurity about love fuels exhaustion, and what begins to change when we truly believe we are fully beloved. If you've been feeling worn out from striving, this episode is a reminder: You are loved. Listen now and step into the freedom of grace. EPISODE SHOWNOTES: Read more. BE AFFIRMED. Get the Good Words email series. FIND YOUR STORY. Get the email course. WHAT'S YOUR CAUSE? Take our quiz. BE INSPIRED. Follow us on Instagram. DO GOOD. Give to The Salvation Army.
What does it mean to grow up receiving help—and then spend your life giving it? In this episode, Sacramento City Councilmember Mai Vang shares her story as the daughter of Hmong refugees who once stood in line at The Salvation Army for Christmas gifts, winter coats and a safe place to belong. Mai reflects on how those early experiences shaped her understanding of community, compassion and leadership—and how receiving hospitality planted a lifelong commitment to serve others. From being the oldest of 16 children to serving her city today, Mai's story is a powerful reminder that when families are supported, joy doesn't stop there. It grows. Discover how belonging becomes the foundation for leadership—and how sharing joy builds stronger communities. EPISODE SHOWNOTES: Read more. BE AFFIRMED. Get the Good Words email series. FIND YOUR STORY. Get the email course. WHAT'S YOUR CAUSE? Take our quiz. BE INSPIRED. Follow us on Instagram. DO GOOD. Give to The Salvation Army.