Ryan Carter
Angels won't be descending on the mall this year.
Because of a new Media City Cen- ter policy that prohibits organ-
izations from using their name to solicit donations, the Salvation
Army will not continue this year with its Angel Tree program inside
the mall.
For the past six years, the Salvation Army's 6-foot high Christmas
tree was adorned with hanging tag ornaments -- "angels" -- with the
name, age and holiday wishes of needy children. Mall patrons would
come by, pick an angel off the tree, register the tag with volunteers
and buy a gift.
The toys are part of larger packages that go to about 1,000
children in more than 300 families.
"If we could get them to understand how important this is locally
and allow us to go back in with our logos, we'd be in tomorrow," said
Capt. Brenda Smith of the Burbank Corps, referring to the mall
policy. Smith said using the Salvation Army name is pivotal to the
success of the program.
General Growth Properties Inc., the mall's new owner, set the
policy. "It's not to be hostile," Media City Center Senior General
Manager David Palomo said of the decision. "[The Salvation Army] is
very reputable. They did it last year with the same specifications.
The only thing is, we could not allow them to display the Salvation
Army logo because we couldn't show preference to one organization
over another."
Angel Tree donations serve families in Burbank, Sunland, Sun
Valley, North Hollywood and Tujunga. It coincides with The Salvation
Army Burbank Corps' Red Kettle drive, held Dec. 13, 14, 20 and 21 at locations around Burbank.
The city agreed to let the Salvation Army set up trees this week
at the Joslyn Adult Center, McCambridge Recreation Center and Don
Tuttle Senior Center. A tree also will be up at a Wells Fargo bank.
Donations are accepted until Dec. 20.
Palomo said an invitation remains for the group to set up next
year -- without its logo.
To donate or for more information, call the Salvation Army Burbank
Corps at 845-7214. Its headquarters is at 300 E. Angeleno Ave.
