More than 800 Schuylkill County children will wake up to find gifts underneath their Christmas trees Wednesday, thanks to the generosity of the community.

The gifts were collected for children in need through the Salvation Army Tamaqua Service Center’s Angel Tree program and Toys for Tots, and were distributed Wednesday from the Army National Guard’s Hometown Armory.

While the number is high, it’s lower than it has been in recent years, said Jael Houser, the Tamaqua service center’s office and case manager.

“Last year we had 1,400, and the year before we had 1,200,” she said. “So we are lower, which is great - but we don’t know what the next year will bring.”

Angel Tree boxes were packed with gifts requested for infants through age 12, while games, puzzles, dolls, toy vehicles and other items collected through Toys for Tots were set up on long tables.

“(Registrants) were able to pick up their Angel Tree box and also ‘shop’ for their kids through Toys for Tots,” explained Rebecca “Becky” Netznik, Salvation Army regional manager.

A number of volunteers helped with distribution, including students from Tamaqua Area High School’s Aevidum Club.

Houser and Netznik thanked volunteers, donors and Army National Guard, which made the Armory available for the event.