The Salvation Army in Troy is accepting applications for its annual Christmas Angel Tree program.

Kim May, director, said applications will be taken through the month of October for children through age 12 who will not have Christmas without the assistance of caring and concerned individuals.

“We are asking parents to stop by the Salvation Army Service Center and Thrift Store at 509 South Brundidge Street and fill out an application for their children,” May said. “These applications will be carefully screened and those that are accepted will be included in our 2010 Angel Tree program.”

The child’s code name, age, clothing size and wish list will be placed on an angel and hung on the Angel Tree. Then, people will be encouraged to stop by the Salvation Army Service Center and choose an angel they would like to adopt.”

May said each person who adopts an Angel is asked to spend a minimum of $50 in gifts.

“The children usually don’t ask for pricy gifts, mostly clothes and shoes, things they need instead of what they want,” May said. “But they are children so sometimes they will ask for something expensive, but it’s up to the individual as to what they buy.”

These Santa gifts from the Salvation Army are usually all that the “angels” will receive at Christmas time so most of those who adopt include a toy among the gifts.

The deadline for the gifts to be delivered to the Salvation Army Service Center is December 8. That will give the Salvation Army elves a couple of days to ready the gifts for pickup by the parents or guardians.

“Angel Tree pickup will be on Dec. 11,” May said. “Most of the parents put the gifts up for Christmas day. The Angel Tree program makes Christmas special for a lot of children and there is also joy in giving so this is a wonderful program for all involved.”

Last year about 60 angels were adopted through the Salvation Army in Troy. Because of the economic situation, May said even more applications are expected to be filed this year.

“We will have to depend on the people of the community to help us make Christmas merry for these children,” she said.

For more information, call the Salvation Army Service Center and Thrift Store at 334-808-1069.