The Bryan/College Station Salvation Army kicked off their local Angel Tree and Red Kettle campaigns on Friday.

Captain Paul Ryerson announced an Angel Tree partnership with Bryan Broadcasting to give gifts to 2,096 children this Christmas. Bryan Broadcasting operations director Tucker Young said "it's an incredibly wonderful and fulfilling opportunity to be able to go out and shop for a child that's not your own. Just add one more child to your Christmas wish list."

Captain Ryerson also announced a Red Kettle campaign goal of $200,000 dollars, which would equal last year's record giving. Last year, more than 20,000 people were served in a variety of ways. That included giving more than 300,000 pounds of food, distributing 3,751 clothing items, providing utility assistance to 79 families, giving disaster relief from hurricane Harvey to 73 families, and giving rental assistance to 67 families.

The kickoff also included remarks from Bryan mayor Andrew Nelson and College Station mayor Karl Mooney, concluding with the reading of a joint proclamation that today is Salvation Army day. Salvation Army advisory board vice-chairman Larry Catlin said "Every day is Salvation Army day."