Major Bethany Hawks said the organization pushed the deadline to Monday, December 7th due to an increase in need amid the coronavirus pandemic.
“We have 9,000 angels still left to be adopted. We extended the date and time so that we can fulfill the joy of Christmas to these children,” she said.
Typically, most of the angels would already be adopted by this time. However, Hawks said the avenues that drive the largest number of donors, like corporations, have changed due to the pandemic.
“With them telecommuting, some corporations weren’t able to take donations. Some did but maybe had a harder time to fulfill,” she said.
The pandemic has also forced the pandemic to revamp its practices too.
“We don’t have volunteers at the Angel Trees in the mall. We don’t have enough volunteers in the kettle program…we’re needing those,” said Hawks.
The Salvation Army North Texas is asking residents to adopt an angel this year, which can now be done online, before Monday’s deadline.
Hawks said it’s going to take the community working together to help our smallest members cope amid the uncertainty and offer a moment of joy during the Christmas holidays.
“I think of Christmas morning, a child running downstairs and receiving a gift that a donor from North Texas provided under the tree. You know, our children whether they’ve been virtual or they’ve been in school…they’re in masks. They need to see hope. They need to feel Christmas joy and I think this gift under the tree will allow them to feel just a little normalcy,” she said.
Click here to adopt an angel.
Drop off locations for Friday December 4th and Saturday December 5th:
Seven North Texas Malls:
North Park Center, The Shops at Willow Bend, Galleria Dallas, Golden Triangle Mall, Hulen Mall, Northeast Mall, The Parks at Arlington
Drop off centers Friday December 4th through Monday December 7th, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.:
The Salvation Army Christmas Center (Dallas County)
9216 Harry Hines Blvd.
Dallas, TX 75235
The Salvation Army Christmas Center (Tarrant County)
228 Felix St.
Fort Worth, TX 76114
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