Salvation Army annual Christmas Angel drive makes the holidays bright for area children

The Salvation Army is once again providing for those less fortunate with its annual Christmas Angel drive.

Vicksburg residents will have the opportunity from today until Dec. 5 to adopt a Christmas Angel and purchase their Christmas wish-list items. Angels can be adopted at the Vicksburg Mall (3505 Pemberton Square Blvd.) during normal business hours.

“We’ve got volunteers inside the mall near Dillard’s who will be giving out angels for as long as they last,” said Steve Welch, core officer of the Salvation Army. “They won’t be there later than Dec. 5 because we have to get the gifts processed and distributed to the correct families the following week.”

Each year the Salvation Army takes wish lists from less fortunate families in the area in an effort to give children a happier holiday.

“It’s just a really good way to get more personally involved with helping somebody that’s in need during Christmas time,” he said. “It allows children of all ages to be more likely to get what they really want.”

For more information, call the Salvation Army at 601-636-2706. To volunteer with the Salvation Army call volunteer coordinator Trudy James Brown at 601-415-2994.

“We really are thankful for the people that help us help others,” Welch said. “There’s so many people that help us out and so many people that sponsor angels and put money in our kettles. We’re just so thankful for all of them.”