The Salvation Army has started its annual Angel Tree program for the holiday season.
The Angel Tree program provides Christmas gifts for keiki and kupuna while offering year-round support for families facing economic challenges. Last year, more than 31,000 gifts were donated through the Angel Tree program in Hawaii.
According to the Salvation Army, more local families face new economic challenges, so the need for public support is greater than ever.
Christmas trees at select locations are decorated with paper angel tag ornaments with the first name, age and gender of a keiki or kupuna in need. Donors select one or more tags from the Angel Tree and purchase appropriate gifts for the keiki or senior described on the tags.
The gifts are returned to the tree the tags were pulled from. Angel trees are located across the state at all Hawaii Walmart stores and additionally at many businesses and malls.
In Hilo, HomeStreet Bank has received most of the gifts from its tree, but there are still names left. The tree will be up through Friday, Dec. 15. The Walmart Hilo Angel Tree will be up through Saturday, Dec. 16.
The Angel trees in Kailua-Kona are located at The Club through Friday, Dec. 15, Denny’s and Fish Hopper through Saturday, Dec. 16 and at Walmart through Monday, Dec. 18.
Individuals and families also can make monetary donations or create personalized online Angel Tree fundraisers at angeltreehi.org. They can then share the tree with their contacts and raise funds for the program.
“During this festive season, our commitment to supporting families in need remains steadfast. The Angel Tree program aims to brighten the holidays for keiki, kupuna and families across Hawaii” said Charmaine Hauanio-Kuewa, divisional director of development for the Salvation Army’s Hawaiian and Pacific Islands Division.
To support the holiday initiative or learn more about our Angel Tree program, visit hawaii.salvationarmy.org.
