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ASE Credit Union gave back this Christmas holiday season to the kids in the community through the Salvation Army.

From small toys to monster trucks to baby doll sets, tons of toys were donated with cheerful smiles and giving hearts on Tuesday in honor of the Christmas holiday season.

“It just warms my heart to be able to bless the Salvation Army with the toys,” said Shaudonna Minor, Branch Manager of Selma’s ASE Credit Union. But, it even warms my heart more that our members have taken the time out to donate the toys for a worthy cause.”

Minor said the credit union started in November putting the donation box out for the members of the community who are also members of the bank, allowing them to partake in the gift giving opportunity and said it did not take long for the gift giving to start rolling in.

“People in the community are so generous,” Minor said. “It really makes me proud to be a part of Selma.

Minor said for those banks in the area who are looking to do what they have done, to know that it’s all about giving and that’s what the community needs and said that’s what ASE are about.

ASE Marketing Manager Marilyn Hawkins said for her, the event as whole was overwhelming but said that she loves the idea that members of their branch helped to give back to the kids within the community.

“The members and the team have been so generous and its nice to see the end of the car full of toys from dolls, cars and everything a child could want for Christmas Day.”

Suzzette Bogan, who is the Divisional Director for the State of Alabama, Louisiana and Mississippi said the work that ASE has done shows that the community does and can support the Salvation Army and said oftentimes, we worry about if we have two pair of shoes or three pair of shoes, when some kids will not even have a Christmas.

“Some kids don’t have running water, so in order to make sure every child has a Merry Christmas, we have the Angel Tree Program through the Salvation Army so that no child is left behind who doesn’t have toys under the tree at Christmas,” said Bogan.

Each year, Bogan said the Angel Tree Program is available and can help kids from the newborn age up to 12 years old and Betty Goodman, who is a volunteer of The Salvation Army said she is just thrilled to be a member for such a long time of The Salvation Army and that she is so thankful to giving back to the community and encourages  those interested to come on down and be a part of an organization that’s all about giving back.

Hawkins said for next year, members of the credit union should watch out for when the donation box is out because she said they will be doing it right after Thanksgiving with the hopes even more kids can get blessed with a nice Christmas next year.

“We will have the box in the lobby again and next year, we will appreciate any amount that you can donate and to know what is collected at the branch will stay here in Selma and will continue coming straight to The Salvation Army,” said Hawkins.