More than 37,000 children, seniors, and adults with special needs across North Texas are the intended recipients of Christmas gifts through The Salvation Army’s 2026 Angel Tree campaign, as the organization reports increased requests for holiday assistance.
Adoptions opened November 6 and remain available through December 5.
In an announcement provided directly to The Dallas Express, The Salvation Army of North Texas said inflation and higher living costs have placed added pressure on families already struggling to meet basic expenses.
More Angels, More Requests For Assistance
The organization hopes to provide gifts to more than 37,000 registered Angels this year, compared with a goal of more than 35,000 in its 2025 campaign. Those figures describe annual program goals, not the number of gifts already delivered or a verified increase in individual applications.
The North Texas operation, which the organization describes as the largest Angel Tree program in the world, has served local residents for nearly 50 years.
Its service area covers Dallas, Rockwall, Tarrant, Ellis, Denton, and Collin counties.
“For tens of thousands of neighbors in need, the Angel Tree program is a light in the darkness,” Major Carolynn Webb, area commander of The Salvation Army of North Texas, said in the November 9 release provided to DX.
“The Salvation Army of North Texas is devoted to transforming lives in North Texas through service, love, and meaningful change, but we can’t do it alone. With the help and generosity of our supporters, we’ll be able to not only provide families and individuals in need with gifts but with hope as well,” Webb added.
How To Adopt An Angel
A donor selects an Angel and purchases gifts from that person’s registered wish list. Items may include new clothing, pajamas, shoes, hygiene products, toys, games, and sporting equipment.
Donors can adopt online or select tags from trees at participating shopping locations.
Participating malls listed by The Salvation Army include NorthPark Center and Galleria Dallas in Dallas; Golden Triangle Mall in Denton; The Parks at Arlington; North East Mall in Hurst; and Hulen Mall in Fort Worth. The organization also lists Angel Tree tags at participating Walmart stores.
Forgotten Angel tags are available for individuals whose original adoptions did not result in returned gifts. The Salvation Army uses that option to help fulfill wish lists that would otherwise go unmet.
Where And When To Drop Off Gifts
All donated gifts should be new and unwrapped, bagged separately for each Angel, and accompanied by the matching Angel Tree tag.
The final day to adopt an Angel and return gifts is Saturday, December 5, according to the organization’s calendar.
Weekday gift-return centers include 9216 Harry Hines Blvd. in Dallas, 229 E. Felix St. in Fort Worth, 3528 14th St. in Plano, and 620 Farley St. in Waxahachie. Each is listed as accepting donations from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekdays.
Drive-through gift returns are scheduled for December 4-5, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., at seven locations: NorthPark Center, Galleria Dallas, Golden Triangle Mall, Riders Field in Frisco, The Parks at Arlington, North East Mall, and Hulen Mall. Donors should check the organization’s instructions for the designated parking lots.
The Salvation Army plans to distribute gifts December 14-22.
A Year-Round North Texas Presence
People who cannot adopt an Angel can volunteer to sort gifts or make a financial donation through the Salvation Army’s Christmas campaign. The organization says its 21 North Texas centers also offer food assistance, shelter, counseling, rehabilitation, and other services.
The charity’s work extends beyond the holiday season. In July, The Dallas Express reported on 13 Salvation Army cooling and hydration stations activated during extreme heat. Earlier coverage in December 2023 documented the Angel Tree effort to serve roughly 35,000 local recipients.
Information about adopting, donating, and volunteering is available at SalvationArmyNTX.org.
