Time is running out to adopt an angel from NorthPark Center’s Salvation Army Angel Tree as the Dec. 5 cutoff date draws closer.
Photo courtesy of The Salvation Army of North Texas.
The Salvation Army of North Texas is looking to secure Christmas presents for over 40,000 area children this year, in addition to seniors and adults with special needs. Angel applications were processed in the early fall, with adoptions opening to the public on Nov. 1. The last day Angels will be available for adoption at NorthPark Center is December 5.
Operating with a shortened holiday season, North Texas Area Commander Maj. Dawn McFarland says the need has never been higher.
“There’s consistent growth in the number of applications,” McFarland said. “But the size of families is changing. We are seeing more larger families that are coming to us for help at Christmas.”
Angels can be adopted by picking up a tag off the tree (located on level 1 between Macy’s and Dillard’s). Tags list recipient info and include a want and a need, in addition to clothing and shoe sizes. The tree also includes Forgotten Angel tags. These special tags allow neighbors to make general donations used to fulfill unadopted Angels’ wishes.
“I think about what it would mean to the individual who wakes up on Christmas morning and thinks ‘I don’t have anything at all,’ and that’s heartbreaking,” McFarland said. “I cannot imagine the look on my children’s face when they were little, or my grandchildren’s face if we didn’t have even one thing, if they thought Santa didn’t come.”
Neighbors can bring gifts to the drive-through drop-off located in the northeast parking lot near Macy’s on Dec. 6 and 7 from 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Angels can also be adopted online.
The Salvation Army’s Red Kettle campaign is also getting underway with a North Texas fundraising goal of over $1.5 million. Neighbors can volunteer as a bellringer individually or as part of a group, or host a “virtual Red Kettle.” The Red Kettle campaign funds the Salvation Army’s year-round, faith-based work in North Texas, which encompasses homeless outreach, addiction services, domestic violence prevention and combating food insecurity.
Angel Tree gift distribution will take place from Dec 12-21.
