Leaders from The Salvation Army Meridian and Citizens National Bank joined together Monday to kick off the holiday season with the launch of the annual Angel Tree program. The yearly program provides Christmas presents and clothing to thousands of children nationwide.

Lt. Roy Fisher, commanding officer of The Salvation Army Meridian, said Angel Trees will be going up throughout the area over the next several weeks. Trees will be placed at Citizens National Bank locations in Meridian and Philadelphia, Walmart Supercenters in Meridian, Philadelphia and Newton and Uptown Meridian, he said.

Each of the trees will be decorated with “angels,” which are cards bearing the age, gender, clothing size, wants and needs of a local child in need. Residents can adopt an angel by selecting a card, purchasing appropriate gifts and bringing everything back to The Salvation Army or Citizens National Bank location.

“It’s a great way to get your children or grandchildren involved, especially with the younger ones, be able to let them choose an angel that they want and let them be able to pick the items for them,” Fisher said.

Citizens National Bank President Neal Henry said the bank has partnered with The Salvation Army for its annual Angel Tree program for more than 25 years. The program, he said, is a great way to make a positive impact on the community.

The holidays, Henry said, are a time for families to come together, and participating in the Angel Tree program is a good way to do that while helping others.

“This allows us to go and do something for somebody and do it as a family,” he said. “And it’s really fun to do.”

Aa’Keela Hudnall, the 2024 Christmas spokesperson for The Salvation Army Meridian, said the Angel Tree program has been ongoing for 44 years, and is an easy way for people to help others and make a difference this holiday season.

“During the holiday season, we have those who are blessed and those who are maybe struggling a bit financially,” she said. “So, the Angel Tree helps us to kind of fill in that gap.”

The Salvation Army’s mission is to take care of the less fortunate as God commands, Fisher said, and the Angel Tree program is one of the ways it works to fulfill that goal. The organization also provides a multitude of programs and services throughout the year, he said, and will kick off its annual Red Kettle Campaign, its largest fundraiser event, on Nov. 16.

Being able to provide these programs and services, Fisher said, is only possible because of the support The Salvation Army receives from the community. In Meridian and East Mississippi, he said, those in the community support each other and help each other, and the Angel Tree program is one way to do that.

“This is a community that loves to support each other, which is really amazing to see,” he said. “We couldn’t be more thankful for the support we do receive, not just at Christmas but throughout the year, because what we do, we can’t keep up without it.”