Saturday, December 13, 1997

Angel Trees benefit local children

By LORETTA FULTON / Abilene Reporter-News

Salvador is 3 years old, and he's an angel.

In fact, he's one of about 500 angels in Abilene who need our help. Normally angels help us, but now it's our turn to return the favor.

Salvador's name, provided by the Salvation Army, is on a card hung from an Angel Tree at Elliott-Hamil Funeral Home at 5701 Highway 277 south, one of five such trees around town. The cards tell the child's name, age, clothing size and wishes for Christmas.

Angel Trees "started locally somewhere and eventually grew into a national program," said Capt. Edward Alonzo, head of the Abilene Salvation Army.

The program allows people to "adopt" a child for Christmas by picking one card, buying a gift, wrapping it and returning it to the same location by 6 p.m. Friday.

The Salvation Army will pick up the wrapped gifts and deliver them before Christmas. Alonzo asked that anyone wishing to volunteer to help call him at 677-1408.

Some of the cards ask for clothing only while others ask for toys. However, Alonzo said that many people will choose a card with a clothing request "and they'll add a toy to that."

Last year 525 children were helped locally and Alonzo expects the same result this year.

"We live in a very giving community," he said.

Many times families will let their children choose the child to "adopt" "to try to show them there are children in need," Alonzo said.

The Salvation Army has a backup system to provide toys, but no new clothing, to children whose names are not chosen.

"If a card is not picked, a child will receive two or three toys but they will not receive clothing," he said.

People participating may choose more than one child to "adopt," but they are asked to buy only one or two items for each child.

In addition to the tree at Elliott-Hamil, others are set up in various locations. One is in front of Sears in the Mall of Abilene, one is at Chili's restaurant, and two others are in NationsBank lobbies at 500 Chestnut and 2200 S. 27th.