Angels across Warren County will be placed atop Christmas trees as the holiday season quickly approaches. While families throughout the area prepare with lights, ornaments and tinsel, the Salvation Army will be decorating its trees with the names of hundreds of families hoping for generous citizens to help make their Christmas one to remember. 

The Vicksburg branch of the Salvation Army is hoping to serve 588 children and 180 seniors through its Angel Tree program. The families who apply for the Angel Tree do not have the means  to buy Christmas presents, and individuals and businesses can “adopt” a child or senior and buy them gifts based on their interests that they otherwise would not receive.

“Basically we help senior adults and families who have children at the age 12 or under who don’t have the means to purchase Christmas gifts,” Angel Tree chairwoman and Women’s Auxiliary President Kamace Priest said.

Families participating in the Angel Tree program must fill out a form through the Department of Human Services proving they are eligible for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families. Once that form is completed and approved, the child or senior citizen is placed on a tree to be adopted.

“No one gets left out. We usually end up with about 75 to 100 that do not get adopted,” Priest said. “We rely on monetary donations (to help them). A lot of people do toy drives for us for the kids. We fill the needs of those who are not adopted that way.”

There are four Angel Tree locations in Vicksburg this year — the Women’s Auxiliary in the Vicksburg Mall, Trustmark Bank on Halls Ferry Road, Bancorp South on South Street and the office of the Outlets at Vicksburg.

The Salvation Army asks those adopting Angels to not wrap gifts, as well as leave out items such as food or candy. Distribution day for all presents is Dec. 11.

For more information on the program, call 601-636-2706.