ORANGE, Texas — The Salvation Army in Orange is facing a challenge this years with their Angel Tree programs due to the closure of two major companies in the area.
The nonprofit has depended on International Paper and Invista to help with donations. But those employees face their own financial hardships this year since the companies shut down.
The Salvation Army spent the day visiting different businesses to gather support.
The Salvation Army is not only losing Angel Tree sponsors from these two big businesses, but now the nonprofit is seeing an increase in applications due to the hundreds of people who have lost their job.
Right now 350 kids in Orange are on the Angel Tree list.
"These are parents and families that focus. With their entire check focused on the necessities and they need our help to go a little bit further for Christmas," said Salvation Army Orange Captain Tiffany Salgado.
Salgado has firsthand knowledge of what it feels to need help for Christmas.
"I myself was a product of Angel Tree. I was a recipient when I was a young girl," she said.
The Salvation Army has 250 sponsors who have committed to helping, but that leaves 100 kids still remaining without a sponsor.
"As a child I didn't focus on that they couldn't meet that need, but that they found a way. And so for Christmas I would just wake up and have gifts. And I just knew something in the house was for me, was for my twin, was for my brothers. And I didn't have to worry. My parents provided," Salgado said.
Some Orange parents have been forced to sign up for the Angel Tree program after they lost their job due to the closure of Invista and International Paper.
"I understand that the economy is so bad that working people are in this predicament for the first time in their lives. Where they're having to come to a food pantry, where they're having to come and ask for assistance themselves," said Salgado.
One business in Orange is stepping up. Innovative Air Solutions promised to sponsor 14 angels.
"Like winter clothes that I feel like everyone should have winter clothes. Why should a child have to ask for winter clothes for Christmas. Why is that something that they don't already have in place?" Innovative Air Solutions Marketing Manager Ashla Taylor
The angels range in age from infants to 12-year-olds.
"There's another one for a 6-month-old baby. She wanted a baby walker. It's certain things like that, that I feel like are a necessity for some children and they're having to ask for it for Christmas," Taylor said.
If you would like to sponsor a child, call the Salvation Army in Orange or visit the West Orange or Bridge City Walmarts. All donations are needed by December 15.
You can call (409) 291-8400 to register or email Angel Tree at tiffany.salgado@uss.salvationarmy.org.
If you need help with Christmas gifts and would like to sign up for the Angel Tree program, November 22 is the last day to register.