Video: Angel Tree Helps Needy Families

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TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – As early Christmas shoppers crowded the food court at the Mall at Barnes Crossing, the Salvation Army’s Angel Tree was going up.

“It is our big day, it’s our official Merry Christmas to everybody,” said Susan Gilbert, director of social services for the Salvation Army.

Each paper ornament on this tree represents an Angel, a boy or girl from a needy family in the area.

“It gives their age, sex, size of clothes and requests, what they ask for Christmas,” Gilbert said.

This year, more than 400 families need help putting Christmas presents under the tree.

That’s where Good Samaritans like Trisha Watson come in.   In fact,  Trisha, her boss and a co worker from TransPower Corporation adopt Angels each year.

“It’s just a good thing to do.  If you have anything and others don’t, then why not?” Watson said.

Financial planner Robert Hall picked an Angel during his lunch break.

Did you get a boy or girl? “I have a little girl.  Five years old, she’s looking for books, toys and maybe a bike o hopefully we can make that happen for her,” Hall said.

It takes a lot of volunteers to make Angel Tree run smoothly.  Katrina Patty is in charge of coordinating all the helpers for the booth.

“We keep them busy, they don’t have time to sit, talk, gossip or anything,” Patty said.

Angel Tree will be here at the mall through December 9th, so folks across North Mississippi have plenty of time to stop by as they do their Christmas shopping, and make a big difference in a child’s life.