Every year, BankTrust puts out a Christmas tree, but this special tree is not decorated with just tinsel and ornaments. The Angel Tree also holds the names of children throughout Demopolis who need your help to have a merry Christmas.

BankTrust receives the names of the children through the Salvation Army, along with information about each child, including the child’s name, age, gender, clothing size and a few of the toys the child would like to have.

“The Salvation Army has people register for angels every year,” said BankTrust representative Linda Glass. “Every year, Joyce Baty of the Salvation Army brings us a stack of names. This year, we’ve got 10 more than we had last year, which isn’t surprising, considering the economy. Also considering the economy, it’s going to be hard to have each child taken care of, but I think we can do it.”

To take part in the Angel Tree, people need to go to the tree at BankTrust, select a nametag and sign it out through any bank employee, so they know which names have been selected.

Glass said that participants usually get gifts totaling about $50 and shop based on what the child asks for or what the participant would like to get that child. She added that some businesses go in as a group to help share the cost of the gifts among their employees.

“Participants need to keep the gifts in their bags and bring them here to BankTrust,” Glass said. “They’ve got to be back by Dec. 15, so we’re working in a very short timeframe. Ms. Baty has to have time to get everything together and get them out to the parents in time for Christmas.”

Baty said that there is an income guideline for those who will receive gifts.

People want to help needy children for Christmas, but often don’t know which families need gifts or what to get. The Angel Tree project at BankTrust provides that information, leaving the gift buying to the generous participants.