Angel tree, Santa photos to help give gifts in honor of Leland Shoemake

An Angel Tree is being placed in honor of the late Leland Shoemake at American Pie to help local kids in the Pike County community. Other Angel Trees will be at Barnstormer’s Grill in Williamson, The Oink Joint in Zebulon and at 54 Midland Road, Williamson.Angels with the names of children, their top three Christmas wishes and clothing sizes will be placed on the tree. Citizens are asked to ‘˜adopt an angel’ in honor of Leland, a 6-year-old who was killed by a brain eating amoeba this year. In addition, pictures with Santa will be offered in Leland’s honor to help raise funds to purchase gifts for kids whose Christmas wishes may not come true otherwise. Pictures with Santa will be taken Saturday, Dec. 5 from 9 a.m. to noon and Sunday, Dec. 6 from 1:30 to 5 p.m. at the old cotton gin in Williamson at 54 Midland Street. No appointments are needed, all ages are welcome, print packages and discs will be available for purchase, cash or check donations accepted. For more on Pictures with Santa, photographer Amber Shoemake can be reached at facebook.com/AmberDPhotography or amberdphotography@yahoo.com.