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More than 300 kids need to be 'adopted' through Angel Tree program
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LOUISIANA (KLFY) -- This year you can help give Acadiana families in need the Christmas they and their children deserve through the Salvation Army Angel Tree Program.
You "adopt" a child and then buy Christmas presents for those kids who otherwise may not get gifts on Christmas day.
Salvation Army Capt. Bruce Williams said the need is greater than ever.
In Acadiana, there are still 300 kids that need to be "adopted."
"You know, there are a lot of people out there in this time that unfortunately would have to make the choice between, do I put food on the table and gas in the car or buy Christmas presents for my children?" Williams said.
Families that utilize the Angel Tree program put their applications in in October. They specified their child's name, age, interests, needs, and clothing sizes. The person who "adopts" that child gets all of that information for their Christmas shopping.
"After you shop for that child, you take off the little angel part on the top and you hang it on your tree. It reminds you every day that because of your efforts, a child has Christmas who otherwise might not have," Williams said.
Williams said you can also adopt more than one child.
"People that love to shop, this is just the ideal way to help at Christmas time," he added. "So a family that has a 10-year-old girl at home might adopt a 10-year-old girl from the Angel Tree. So, it's a great thing to be able to give back in that way," Williams said.
After you shop for the child, you bring back the new, unwrapped gifts to the Salvation Army distribution center, where volunteers sort the gifts and get them ready for the families.
Dec. 21 is distribution day, and the families can pick up the presents for their kids.
"I like to imagine those children that come downstairs or come into the living room on Christmas morning, and there's something there. The parent is able to provide that. The parent doesn't have to say to the child, 'I'm sorry, but we had to pay the rent,'" Williams said.
He added, "There's joy in that. There's power in that, and we're really hoping that people will latch on to that and become a part of it. Because together we can do more than what we ever could as an individual."
After Thanksgiving, you can find the Angel Trees at the Acadiana Mall and the Best Buy in Lafayette.
To adopt an angel right now, you can visit the Salvation Army at 212 6th Street in Lafayette or call the program director. Call 337-235-2407 and ask for Capt. Tavia Williams. The Salvation Army can also deliver the angels to businesses and organizations.