400 Angels still on Salvation Army tree

MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) - The Salvation Army of Coastal Alabama is calling on the community to help make the 2012 Angel Tree Program a success in providing Christmas gifts for local children in need.

This year, the Salvation Army has around 2,000 Mobile and Baldwin County children registered as "Angels." But with only a few weeks left before Christmas, there are still 400 Angels that have not been adopted.

"The Salvation Army believes that every child deserves to know the joy of a new toy or clothing, and get to share those special moments with family at Christmas. But there are many families who are facing some of life’s toughest challenges, and gifts just aren’t possible. Please help us make the holidays a little brighter for children in need by adopting our Angels," said Major Susan Brown, Associate Area Commander. "A single toy or a new dress, can bring a smile to a child’s face, who would otherwise have nothing."

Low-income, working families are the focus of this year's Angel Tree program. It will also benefit families in emergency situations. Because the New York Fire Department will not be bringing gifts to children in Bayou La Batre this year due to Hurricane Sandy, Angel Tree is filling an even greater need in that area.

The Savlavtion Army encourages the community, while they are out shopping over the weekend and over the next few weeks, to please stop by a Salvation Army Angel Tree at one of the following locations:

MOBILE COUNTY
Bel Air Mall
Walmart Vision Centers of Mobile, Semmes and Saraland

BALDWIN COUNTY
Tanger Outlets Food Court in Foley
Walmart Vision Centers in Fairhope, Daphne, Foley and Gulf Shores
Ashley Furniture in Spanish Fort

Businesses and organizations are also encouraged to sponsor their own Angel Tree, for employees or customers to adopt from. For more information on this, contact Major Susan Brown at 438-1625 or Susan_Brown@USS.SalvationArmy.org .

The Salvation Army of Coastal Alabama is asking that all Angel Tree donations be returned by December 12 – so that they have time to count, sort and organize all of the gifts and fill any forgotten Angels before our Angel Tree Distribution Days on December 17 - 19.