Store shelves are quickly becoming sparse as holiday shopping increases. Many are crossing off lists of baseball mitts, dolls, basketballs, video games and more.

Although most children expect their Christmas tree to be surrounded with brightly wrapped gifts on Dec. 25, for others this is only a wish.

The Salvation Army Angel Tree Program still has angels on their tree, and without sponsorship these children may go without a present to open Christmas day.

As of Monday, 86 angels remain for adoption. Major Mary Welch said it’s imperative that these angels be adopted.

“It helps provide a better Christmas for these kids,” Welch said. “Most of them won’t have presents if it weren’t for this program.”

There are three locations where people can adopt angels; the Selma-Dallas County Public Library, Walgreen’s on Highland Avenue and the Salvation Army office.

Welch said 28 angels are available at the library, 20 at Walgreen’s and 38 at the office.

“It makes a big difference for the kids that receive these gifts because it makes their Christmas a little bit better,” Welch said. “We need all these angels to be sponsored.”

Once all angels are adopted, sponsors have till Dec. 14 to submit their angel’s gifts. Welch said the Salvation Army prefers the gifts to be brought to the office in a sturdy bag with the angel’s name on top. Parents of angels will then pick up their gifts at the Old National Guard Armory during their allotted time.

Requested gifts for the angels range anywhere from baseball gloves to diapers, Welch said in a previous interview with the Times-Journal.

“I think it makes us feel good that we can help somebody who might not have a nice Christmas,” she said. “There’s always somebody in worse shape than we are.”

The Salvation Army has been hosting the Angel Tree program for several years and Welch said it’s always a great success because it brightens Christmas day for many who are less fortunate.

For more information on the program call 872-1646 or visit the Salvation Army office located at 2104 Franklin St.