Thanksgiving is next week, but the preparations for Christmas are already underway as families get into the holiday season spirit.
For some in North Texas, it's not a guarantee there will be a present under the tree. So, people are being asked to help adopt a child, senior or adult with special needs through The Salvation Army's Angel Tree program.
It's been around since 1979 and has helped provide millions of gifts to kids, seniors and adults with special needs around the country during the holidays.
"The Salvation Army is expecting to see an increase in demand in need, we've already seen a 20% increase in requests for our Angel Tree program," said Christina Cavalier, senior director of community relations at the Salvation Army of North Texas.
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She said across the board they've seen more people at their food pantries and their shelters are full. Much of this is attributed to a post-pandemic world, inflation and soaring grocery prices.
Families may have to make tough decisions, such as choosing the rent and bills over Christmas presents.
Through the Angel Tree program, social services and schools, The Salvation Army is in contact with families in need. They get the name of each child, senior, or adult with special needs along with a Wishlist.
People can then "Adopt an Angel" online and choose whether they want a boy or girl and which age range. From there, they go shopping for the gifts and then drop them off at a Salvation Army Christmas Distribution Center.
"They can return their gifts Dec. 2 and 3 throughout malls in North Texas, just drive-thru, drop them off and we'll get them to the people in need," said Cavalier.
The last day to adopt an Angel is Dec. 3.
People can also adopt a "Forgotten Angel" in person at participating Walmart and mall locations. According to The Salvation Army, those are people, "who were adopted but their wishes weren't fulfilled and are still in need of a gift."
The Salvation Army Angel Tree
Adopt an individual angel online only through Dec. 3. Adopt Forgotten Angels only at Walmart and the following mall locations:
NorthPark Center
8687 N Central Expressway, Dallas
Galleria Dallas
13350 Dallas Parkway, Dallas
Northeast Mall
1101 Melbourne Road, Hurst
The Shops at Willow Bend
6121 W Park Boulevard, Plano
Golden Triangle Mall
2201 S. I-35E, Denton
Hulen Mall
4800 S. Hulen Street, Fort Worth
The Parks at Arlington
3811 S. Cooper Street, Arlington
The last day to adopt an Angel is Dec. 3.
The Salvation Army Angel Tree gift drop-off locations:
NOW through Dec. 4 at The Salvation Army; Dec. 3 – 4 at drive-thru locations. To find a drop-off location, visit SalvationArmyNTX.org.
