Angel Tree and Kettle Drive

Starting Friday, many of you will be hitting the stores and shopping centers buying Christmas gifts. But, when you do, there's a way you can help people who are less fortunate.
 
When the City of Mobile held its Annual Lighting of the Tree last Friday, the red kettles of the Salvation Army were out, but the heart of the campaign begins the day after Thanksgiving. That's when the red kettles will be in front of businesses like Wal-Mart, and Sam's Club. And, they're helping many people who need help this Christmas season.
 
Katie Herrera Emer with the Salvation Army said, "When you put a dollar in the kettle you're helping a homeless person have a meal and get back on their feet, find a job. You're helping a person who struggled with addiction reconnect with their family and reclaim their lives. We have women and children's shelters, and there's so much that the Salvation Army does, not only at the holidays, but throughout the year, that this money will go to."
 
But, the angels are already out.
 
The Salvation Army Angel Tree has been up at Bel Air Mall since this past Saturday. The tree has cards with the Christmas wishes of children.

"You come here, and you pick an angel. It has a name, and their age and the gift suggestion. You take the angel, go buy the gift, bring it back unwrapped by December 12th and what we'll do is we'll distribute it to that child," explained volunteer, Beverly Triplett.
 
Many people are already adopting their little angels. Jill Showers of Mobile is buying gifts for two children.
When asked why she's doing this, she said, "Because I want to, something I feel like we should all do, give back and help out others."
 
So, when you're out shopping this Christmas, you can listen for the bells, and look for the angels.
 
Salvation Army officials said they have about two thousand children on the Angel Tree this year.