MIDLAND, Texas — The most wonderful time of the year is also the busiest for some -- that includes The Salvation Army.
The Midland-Odessa branch has officially kicked off its Christmas season, and plenty of community support is needed.
The Salvation Army of Midland-Odessa recently expanded its Angel Tree program to include Andrews and Stanton as well.
The NewsWest 9 Salvation Army Toy Drive works in tandem with that program, making this season highly significant.
As its main fundraiser of the year begins, so to does the joy.
“We love that it’s here – we love this time of year so much," said Captain Kristin Coriston with The Salvation Army of Midland-Odessa.
Money donated to The Salvation Army's red kettles in the community help fund a majority of its programs year-round.
“The fundraising efforts are bigger then ever," Captain Coriston said. "We have a huge need in our community for just basic necessities and we really want to meet people where they’re at and give them the help they need so they can continue building on that for their futures.”
Meeting people where they are includes The Salvation Army’s Angel Tree program for Christmas gifts.
People can pull the angel off of an Angel Tree which shows a kid’s name and gifts they want for that person to go shop for them.
“We’ve already heard some families say, ‘I’ve never needed help before,’ and this is their first time needing a little bit of extra," Captain Coriston said. "So, we’re grateful to be able to be a part of that and we think the need is going to grow as we expand it to other communities as well in the area.”
Almost 1,700 kids are signed up for the Angel Tree program -- that’s about 200 to 300 more than in previous years.
“We want our community to know that even though it’s Christmas gifts – they’re not maybe the most important thing on the list of things that we need – but they give people hope and something to look forward to and excitement," Captain Coriston said.
Hope and excitement created by community in the season of giving.
Captain Coriston said Angel Trees will be up soon in businesses, such as the Midland Park Mall on Nov. 22 and Music City Mall in Odessa on Nov. 12.
The NewsWest 9 Salvation Army Toy Drive helps provide new, unwrapped toys to those angels who are not pulled.
For a list of locations where you can donate to the Toy Drive's red barrels, click here.