Salvation Army's ‘Angel Tree' program will provide gifts for a few thousand area children

McALLEN — The Salvation Army hopes Upper Rio Grande Valley residents will help make Christmas better for more than 5,000 area “angels.”

The charity’s annual Angel Tree program is under way from now until Dec. 13.

Each year the program solicits donated gifts from the community for a few thousand children and senior citizens who have applied for Christmas assistance through the social services program of the Salvation Army.

Individuals and partnering corporations personalize a gift by adopting an “Angel” and purchasing a gift for that child. Corporations may also choose to decorate a Christmas tree in their office with “Angels” for employees to adopt.

After the donors choose an “Angel” and buy a gift, the unwrapped presents are returned to the Angel Tree at La Plaza Mall, 2200 S. 10th St., or the Salvation Army, 1600 N. 23rd St., and are then distributed to area families.

The Angel Tree at the mall is decorated with angels, each with a child’s first name inscribed on it along with the child’s age, clothing size, shoe size and one Christmas wish.

The Salvation Army launched the program Nov. 13. Volunteers are at the Angel Tree at La Plaza Mall from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. each day. The tree is near the main entrance by Dillard’s, in front of the Ann Taylor Loft store.

Last year more than 4,000 gifts were given out in Hidalgo County. The Salvation Army expects to have more than 5,000 “Angels” available for adoption this year.

The national program began in Lynchburg, Va., in 1979 and has provided gifts of new clothing and toys to thousands of children.

There will also be a toy drive at three Rio Grande Valley Vipers games in December and a “Salvation Army Night” at a Killer Bees game Dec. 11 in case there aren’t enough presents for all the children.

At the Killer Bees game, fans are encouraged to toss teddy bears onto the ice every time the home hockey team scores. The teddy bears are then donated as gifts in the Angel Tree program.

“The 5,000 kids and senior citizens will get gifts one way or another,” said Salvation Army spokeswoman Lidia Herrera, noting that if they still run short after toy drives and other functions, the Salvation Army purchases the gifts itself.

The Salvation Army will also kick off kettle season Friday. Donations to the bell-ringing volunteers stationed in front of area grocery stores and shopping centers will run until Christmas Eve.

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Nick Pipitone covers McAllen, PSJA, the Mid-Valley and general assignments for The Monitor. He can be reached at (956) 683-4446.

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THE SALVATION ARMY’S ANGEL TREE

>> WHAT: The Angel Tree is an annual program run in shopping centers and malls throughout the country in which individuals and partnering corporations adopt an “Angel”— a local child or senior citizen in need — and personalize a gift to send to them.

>> WHEN: Nov. 13 to Dec. 13. Volunteers will be at the Angel Tree every day from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

>> WHERE: La Plaza Mall, 2200 S. 10th St., McAllen. The Angel Tree is near the main entrance by Dillard’s, in front of the Ann Taylor Loft store.

>> HOW TO GIVE: Ask a volunteer at the Angel Tree and they will show you how to adopt an “Angel” from the tree. After choosing an “Angel” and buying the gift, bring back the unwrapped present to the Angel Tree or to the Salvation Army, 1600 N. 23rd St., McAllen.

>> HELP OUT: Volunteers are also still needed to man the Angel Tree. For more information, visit the Salvation Army or call (956) 682-1468.