Angel Tree began as a way to bring Christmas joy to children with incarcerated parents, and today it reaches hundreds of thousands of families across the U.S. with gifts, hope, and connection.

The Story of Angel Tree:

Angel Tree was born in 1979 in Lynchburg, Virginia, when Salvation Army officers Captains Charles and Shirley White partnered with a local shopping mall to create a new kind of holiday giving. Instead of placing donation kettles inside the mall, they were offered a Christmas tree—and that’s when inspiration struck. They decorated the tree with paper angels, each representing a child in need, along with their holiday wish list.

This simple idea blossomed into a nationwide tradition. Today, Angel Tree programs are run by both The Salvation Army and Prison Fellowship, depending on the region and focus:

- The Salvation Army Angel Tree helps provide new clothing, toys, and gifts to children and seniors who might otherwise go without during the holidays.

- Prison Fellowship Angel Tree focuses on children with incarcerated parents, delivering gifts on behalf of those parents to help maintain family bonds and remind kids they are loved.

Why It Matters:

More than 1 in 49 children in the U.S. has a parent in prison. Angel Tree gives these children a chance to feel remembered and cherished during the holidays. Volunteers and donors step in to fulfill wish lists, wrap presents, and deliver them with messages of love from their parents.

Beyond Christmas, Prison Fellowship Angel Tree also offers summer camps, sports clinics, and STEM events to support these families year-round.

Here are the sources that provide background on Angel Tree and its mission:

- Prison Fellowship – Angel Tree Program

Details the history and purpose of Angel Tree, including how it supports children with incarcerated parents through Christmas gifts and year-round programs.

- The Salvation Army – Angel Tree

Explains the Salvation Army’s Angel Tree initiative, which provides gifts to children and seniors in need during the holidays.