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Never Miss a Chance to Do the Most Good

Please enter your name, email and zip code below to sign up!

Please enter your first name
Please enter your last name
Please enter a valid email address
Please enter a valid zip code

Never Miss a Chance to Do the Most Good

Please enter your name, email and zip code below to sign up!

Please enter your first name
Please enter your last name
Please enter a valid email address
Please enter a valid zip code

Never Miss a Chance to Do the Most Good

Please enter your name, email and zip code below to sign up!

Please enter your first name
Please enter your last name
Please enter a valid email address
Please enter a valid zip code
Smiles Make the Greatest Gifts Image

Smiles Make the Greatest Gifts

Providing physical needs such as grocery, utility and gift assistance,
to emotional experiences including holiday events and traditions.

The Salvation Army Angel Tree Program

HISTORY OF THE ANGEL TREE

The Angel Tree is a unique program that started in Lynchburg, Virginia in 1979. It involves the community in a direct way allowing them to become personally involved by sharing with those less fortunate in their community. The program provides gifts of new clothing and toys to thousands of children who otherwise might not have anything for Christmas.

Children who are recipients of Angel Tree gifts are from families who have applied for Christmas assistance through the Social Services program of The Salvation Army. During the application process, the clothing sizes and special needs of the children are determined and written on the application and is then transferred to paper “angels” along with the child’s first name, age, and sex.

The “angels” contain a code number which corresponds to the client’s application number. All children in a family have the same code number, followed by “A” for the first child, “B” for the second child, etc.

The angels are then taken to area shopping malls and various local retailers and businesses where they are selected by shoppers who then purchase any or all of the items listed. After purchasing these items, the gifts are returned to the Angel Tree distribution centers.

Each Angel Tree family is given an appointment date and time to come back and receive their gifts for the children or “Angels”. It is not based on a first-come, first-serve basis. The items that were carefully and lovingly selected and purchased for each child is what the child will receive.

How to Adopt an Angel

There are many children on the Mississippi Gulf Coast who will not receive Christmas presents without the help and support of people like yourself.  Here at The Salvation Army, every child who needs Christmas assistance is called an Angel. When you visit a local retailer, you may choose an Angel to “adopt” and purchase new and unused presents to help make their Christmas a little brighter.  Every Angel has suggested gift ideas, but we also encourage you to be creative! Millions of children in America will go without Christmas gifts because their parents can’t afford them. Financial and emotional stress dampen the Christmas cheer of families living in poverty.

The Salvation Army Angel Tree program aims to give children in need, between the ages of 0-12 years, a Christmas they may not have otherwise. Anonymous donors adopt these little “angels” in an expanding Christmas tradition that makes the season brighter for both the gift giver and receiver.

If you or your group (organization, club, church, business) would like to sponsor an Angel Tree or adopt an Angel in your community, please contact your local Salvation Army.

Here are the simple steps to adopt an Angel:

1) Take an angel from the Angel Tree

2) Purchase gifts for that child. There are gift suggestions on the Angel provided by the parent, but you can also be creative and purchase items you think that child would enjoy!
3) Don’t wrap your gifts! Bundle all of your new and unwrapped gifts and return them to the business where you received your Angel or you may drop the gifts at any Salvation Army location.

4) Don’t forget to include your Angel code on the gifts! This way, we will know which child should receive the gifts.

5) You may include gift wrap and wrapping accessories with your gifts, but please do not wrap your gifts.

 

REQUIREMENTS:

Person applying must bring VALID State issued Photo ID

A parent or Legal Guardian must apply for ONLY their own children. Guardianship/Custody

Documentation required if you are not listed on Birth certificate

State Issued Certified Birth Certificates for children 12 & under required. (no copies or hospital
certificates)

Harrison and Pearl River County

Applicants must bring the following documents to apply:

  • State-issued photo ID (Head of household)
  • Birth Certificate or official documentation of each child. No copies allowed (originals only).
  • Proof of Income/unemployment
  • If grandparent, proof of custody
  • Proof of out-of-the-ordinary expenses that caused the family financial hardships

Applicants must meet ONE of the following criteria and provide documentation for such:

  • SNAP, TANF, section 8, extreme low employment income (federal guidelines of poverty)
  • Parent/Guardian is a student
  • Parent/Guardian or child is on disability
  • Lost employment within the last 6 months

FOOD STAMPS CANNOT BE YOUR ONLY SOURCE OF INCOME

 

Jackson and George County

Applicants need the following to apply:

  • State-issued photo ID (Head of household)
  • Birth Certificate for each child
  • Clothing Sizes for children
  • Proof of residence (utility bill/lease)
  • Gift wish for children (no electronics or high-price items)
  • Attend a life skills class
    • Life Skills class information will be given when you call for your application code.

 

ALL Applications for George and Jackson Co. will be taken online 

Dates: September 25 - October 7

Times: 8 AM - 12 PM

You must have a code to apply online

Codes will be given by calling (228) 762-7222

 

Life Skill class information will be given when you call for your application. If you miss your class, your application will be voided.

For more information please contact Lt. Carla Lawson at [email protected] or call (228) 762-7222.

Las solicitudes en español que necesiten traducción se aceptarán personalmente el 4 de octubre de 9 a 11 horas y de 13 a 16 horas.

ALL registration for Harrison, and Pearl River Counties will be done in person

Dates: October 16-18, 2023

Times: 9 AM - 12 PM and 1 PM - 4 PM

Where: The Salvation Army Center of Hope - Gulfport

2019 22nd Street

Gulfport, MS 39501

DO NOT BRING CHILDREN

Hancock County

Please call 228-463-8887 for an Appointment, Walk-ins will be assisted based on availability.

Dates: October 16-18 and October 27, 2023

Times: 9 AM - 12 PM and 1 PM - 4 PM

Where: Hancock Resource Center
454 Hwy 90, Ste. B, Waveland, MS

DO NOT BRING CHILDREN

 

Dates: October 24, 2023

Times: 9:30 AM - 1:30 PM

Where: 

 

DO NOT BRING CHILDREN

 

 

Other Ways We Meet Needs