WHEELING — The Wheeling Island Hotel-Casino-Racetrack has made sure that the children served by the Salvation Army Angel Tree program will see plenty of toys this Christmas.

Salvation Army representatives stopped by Wheeling Island on Friday morning to pick up hundreds of toys donated by patrons of the hotel, casino and racetrack. A long sleigh was filled to the brim with games, dolls, stuffed animals and other goodies.

Salvation Army Lt. John Lawrence said those toys would be added to the bags of Angel Tree children who still needed a few more items for a good Christmas. For the last month, Angel Trees have sat in several stores in the Ohio Valley. On them were lists from children in need from infant to teen years, and families would pick one or several lists of the tree and buy items.

Distribution will be Wednesday in Ohio County, Thursday in Marshall County and Friday in Wetzel and Tyler counties.

“We believe this year is going to be one of our best years as far as adoption goes, so that’s a blessing,” Lawrence said. “Coming here and seeing three carts full is just overwhelming. It helps us make it an even better Christmas for these kids.”

Kim Florence, president and general manager of Wheeling Island Hotel-Casino-Racetrack, said her organization has been communicating with patrons for a while over several mediums to gather toy donations. Those patrons, she said, have not disappointed.

“It’s what you live to do in a business setting,” she said. “We’re really committed to being part of the community and to give back. It’s a priority for us and something we take very seriously every holiday season.”

Florence said that she personally enjoyed the warm feeling of knowing children in need around the Ohio Valley would have a better Christmas thanks in part to her organization’s efforts.

“It’s very fulfilling to know that we can make that kind of impact in the community,” she said. “To know we’re making a difference for families on Christmas morning is really special for us.”