To do this, the Salvation Army has installed trees across the Augusta area, decorated with angel tags containing gift wishes from children younger than 12 who need some Christmas cheer. With a little more than a week left to help, dozens of angel tags are still waiting for people to claim them.

“We had just over 1,000 angels last year, and this year, we are at about 1,500. So, the need is definitely growing, and we would definitely believe that that is a direct correlation to Hurricane Helene,” said Janelys Villalta, marketing and public relations manager for the Salvation Army Augusta Area Command, in an interview with WRDW-TV.

The Salvation Army needs all tags taken by Dec. 13 to allow time for donors to purchase the gifts and have them ready for pickup in time for Christmas.

Villalta said people can adopt an angel from trees at the organizations’s stores in North Augusta and River Watch, at the Kroc Center, and the Augusta Mall.

“It is super heartwarming to see all of the families come, and we’re giving them their gifts,” said Villalta. “It’s almost like a sigh of relief for a lot of these parents who are like, ‘I don’t know what I’m going to do for Christmas.’”

In addition to the angel tree gift requests, the Salvation Army also seeks donations of winter outerwear and toiletries for children and families in need.