For parents, the joy of Christmas comes first thing in the morning as they watch their children unwrap presents from under the tree.

For many families in the Vicksburg area, money is tight, and they must rely on the goodwill of the community to help ensure their children get to enjoy the same time-honored tradition.

The Salvation Army works to ensure every child opens up Christmas presents each year through their Angel Tree program.

Children from across Warren County have already submitted their wishes, which have been hung on trees around the city, waiting on a generous passerby to pick them up and fulfill a need.

“It’s a making a difference in children’s lives, especially for parents who can not afford to buy the gifts,” Salvation Army Capt. Srikant Bhatnagar said. “Every child deserves to have some gift at Christmas.”

This year, 550 children and 190 seniors applied for the Angel Tree program. As of press time, 470 children and 40 seniors had been adopted, Bhatnagar said.

“People have to adopt because we are still a long way off,” he said. “People are still coming in at the last minute due to loss of jobs and fires or whatever it may be.”

The Angel Tree program has touched many people in different ways. Bhatnagar said there is a retired general in Vicksburg whose first bike came from the Angel Tree program, and he is now working to give back to the same organization that helped him.

Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary and Angel Tree coordinator Kamace Priest said many children would go without presents at all if it weren’t for the program. The impact of the program is evident in the children’s lives and throughout the community.

Trudy James, Salvation Army Auxiliary first vice president, said the requests for the children have been changing to include school uniforms, coats, bed linens and other items.

“We try to provide the basic needs, and include a toy so the children will have something to enjoy,” she said. “We ask people who are giving gifts for someone not to wrap them so we can match the gift to the individual’s request.”

Angel Trees are available at different locations around town such as the Outlets at Vicksburg and the Vicksburg Mall.

Mattel, a toy company, offers a 25 percent discount for Angel Tree donors at mattelshop.com.

The public can get involved in multiple ways, such as adopting an angel or setting up an Angel Tree in their business or by volunteering.

The Salvation Army needs volunteers to watch the trees in locations around town and also to be bell ringers during the holidays.

For more information, call The Salvation Army at 601-636-2706.