By Taysom Cummings
Balance of Nature was proud to sponsor the KUTV 2News Angel Tree program this year, helping ensure children and seniors in need across Utah receive meaningful holiday gifts. From November 6 to December 12, 2025, donors visited Cyprus Credit Unions and Smith’s Marketplace locations to select an Angel Tree tag and donate gifts to individuals in need. Online donations were also made in Washington County and Northern Utah.
The Angel Tree program has a long and heartfelt history. It began in the town of Lynchburg, Virginia, in 1979 when The Salvation Army members Charles and Shirley White created a simple yet powerful idea: provide Christmas gifts to children who otherwise might go without. That idea quickly grew into a nationwide movement. The program came to Utah in 1992, and for the past 33 years, KUTV 2News has partnered with The Salvation Army to bring the Angel Tree tradition to communities across the state. Today, The Salvation Army stands as the largest non-government provider of social services in the United States—and one of the largest globally—supporting more than 32 million people across the country each year.
Utah’s Angel Tree program continues to make an immense impact, providing gifts and essential items to thousands of children and seniors annually. These donations offer more than presents under the tree; they deliver dignity, joy, and reassurance to Utahns facing hardship during the holidays. The program’s success is made possible by generous donors, dedicated volunteers, and partners committed to strengthening their communities.
This year, Balance of Nature was honored to take part in that effort. “Balance of Nature is proud to sponsor KUTV’s Angel Tree and help those in need,” said Dr. Tim Hollingshead, Chief Medical and Research Science Officer at Balance of Nature. “As a Utah-based company, we care deeply about the well-being of our neighbors. The Angel Tree program reflects the spirit of service, compassion, and togetherness that we strive to embody all year long.”
Community members were encouraged to participate by visiting any participating Cyprus Credit Union or Smith’s Marketplace location across the state, from Logan to St. George. Donors could select an Angel Tree tag and return unwrapped gifts to the same location before December 12, 2025. Each tag represented a local child or senior who directly benefited from a donor’s kindness.
By joining forces with The Salvation Army and KUTV 2News, Balance of Nature hopes to help make the holiday season brighter for families across the state. Every gift—large or small—plays a meaningful role in bringing comfort, hope, and joy to Utahns in need.
For more information about the Angel Tree program, visit KUTV.com or contact The Salvation Army of Utah.
