Salvation Army Needs More Tulsa Angel Tree Sponsors

Close to 10,000 children are in need of Christmas presents this year, according to the Salvation Army of Tulsa.

The Angel Tree program kicked off on Saturday, at the Woodland Hills Mall.

The Hasty family is adopting a child from the tree this year, and say the experience is an important lesson for their 4-year-old son.

"He got to choose a little boy of similar age and size kind of to him," Neil Hasty said.

Little Adam Hasty is excited for the presents under the tree, and his parents hope picking out gifts for another child shows him the importance of giving.

“It was probably stuff he would have like to have [taken] home, but he understood that it was for a boy that this was his Christmas," Neil said.

The Hastys are just one family -- the Salvation Army says it needs many more.

They have more than 9,500 children to get presents for this year, which is a big increase from years past.

"The numbers are higher this year, and part of that, I think, is related to a lot of layoffs and the economics as they are,” Maj. April Taylor said. “And it's just been a real struggling year for a lot of families."

By noon on Saturday, at least 40 children had been adopted, and the Salvation Army hopes the momentum continues.

As for the Hasty family, they hope to do this every year and make it a tradition.

“And maybe someday he'll take his son and they'll do the same also,” Neil said.

All gifts must be purchased and turned in by Dec.13.

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