How Do I Find an "Angel"?

Updated on December 01, 2011
K.L. asks from Annandale, VA
21 answers

I was just reading a post from someone else on how much to spend on an angel, and I would like to know how to find one in the first place? The other day my 10 year old daughter made a card and then told me she wanted to send it (and a small gift) to a child who might not get anything for Christmas. We've never done this (although she does stuff stockings with her Girl Scout troop) and she came up with the idea herself. I think it's really great, and I want to see that I help her follow through on the idea. I also have an 8 year old daughter, and was hoping to maybe find 2 girls similar in age that my girls can buy something for. How do I do this? Is there a good website I can go to? Thanks for you help!

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So What Happened?

I found my angels! I went to the mall today and found the Salvation Army all set up there, just like many of you said they'd be. I chose an 8 year old girl because I thought it would be fun for my girls to buy for someone close to their age. And I also chose a one year old girl because, really, who doesn't love to shop for a baby?! Thank you for all the suggestions. We are very excited to do this and will make it an annual tradition. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to everyone :)

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A.S.

answers from Washington DC on

Hello, my name is A., I usually contact St. Jude and send a gift to one of the children because a lot of times the family is spending so much time there and may not be able to do Christmas. Just a thought Peace

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K.P.

answers from Norfolk on

They have angel trees scattered pretty much everywhere I turn around here. The mall, Walmart, my church, etc.

Another option (if they aren't stuck on doing it for a child) is they do the same thing with other "grandparent" type people who don't have anyone. They want boring stuff, but it's another option.

You could also contact churches to see if they have a family with children your girls' ages that are too proud to go through social services/salvation army for assistance that could use some "sponsoring"

Good luck and give your girls hugs. That is a very thoughtful thing for them to want to do at such a young age.

1 mom found this helpful
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G.H.

answers from Chicago on

i saw an angel tree at old navy

we do this every year thru our church.....i let all my kids pick one, then we go make our purchases.......it is so wonderful for kids to do this for others.....

i hope you make this a tradition.........a lot of places ask to sponsor a family too, just another option

1 mom found this helpful
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B..

answers from Dallas on

Your girl is so sweet :)

There are always tree in malls, that I can tell. You can also look into your local food banks, and they often run angel tree programs.

1 mom found this helpful
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N.B.

answers from Washington DC on

Local churches are usually aware of needs in the community. Or try your local Social Services organization. Merry Christmas!

~.~.

answers from Tulsa on

Our Walmarts have trees set up near customer service. The trees have papers hanging on them with information on needy children and their age, clothing and shoe size, interests, etc.

H.S.

answers from Cincinnati on

A lot of stores have "angel" trees. Do you have a jc penney near you? I was looking at this site last night...jcp.com/angel. I think I am going to do it through there because the site makes it so easy to buy things and they get it to the family.

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R.K.

answers from Appleton on

Contact the Salvation Army.

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M.L.

answers from Colorado Springs on

Off the top of my head... try calling the Salvation Army... or your church... or just by asking around in your neighborhood (which may get the fastest results). Many hospitals and other agencies are not allowed to give personal information (names, addresses, etc.) to other individuals, but if you start asking around now you might be able to find just the right person for your daughter to send a card and a gift to. I hope this will be successful - your girl has a good heart.

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C.P.

answers from Provo on

I know in my area the malls carry angel trees. My work also has an angel tree.Wal-mart has a box for toys for Tots.

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☆.A.

answers from Pittsburgh on

Barnes & Noble has angel trees for books.

www.angeltree.org sends gifts to children of incarcerated parents.

Operation Christmas Child by Samaritan's Purse allows you rto choose a child, pack a shoebox and track it's journey across the world to the recipient...http://www.samaritanspurse.org/index.php/OCC/

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E.S.

answers from Jacksonville on

In the past, I've gotten an angel through work or at the mall. This year, I saw that jcp.com/angel has an online system. It's still partnered with the Salvation Army. That may be the easiest way.

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K..

answers from Phoenix on

The have them at every mall in our area, and Walmart, too.

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T.M.

answers from Philadelphia on

Our church has a tree. Maybe you can call your local church?

D.S.

answers from Norfolk on

Hi, K.:

If you are looking for tree top angels, look in thrift stores.
Micheal's Arts and Crafts might have some.
Just a thought
Good luck.
D.

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A.V.

answers from Washington DC on

When I was in college, WalMart did Angel trees. Nowadays I go through my church. You can also bring something to a Toys for Tots pickup. If you go to childsplaycharity.com, that's a site where you can pick a local Children's Hospital and view their wishlist for the kids stuck in the hospital over the holidays. Pick something your girls might like themselves to cheer a kid their own age.

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L.M.

answers from New York on

We have trees all over that have these types of cards where you choose someone and purchase a gift. The card will usually say the gender and age of the person and a "wish". I've seen the trees at the mall and at BJ's Club. We also have one at our library. If you can't find a tree, contact the Salvation Army.

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D.H.

answers from Louisville on

Your school's resource center may join with local businesses for this sort of thing as well. The resource center folks probably won't tell you anything about another family's circumstances - that's why they join up (banks here do that).

Salvation Army got it started - tho a local church or maybe a small city hall might also do similar things.

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G.B.

answers from Oklahoma City on

Call your local Salvation Army office and ask them where they have placed their trees.

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