Payson Roundup

More than 100 angels on trees in Payson and Pine are waiting to be adopted.

Christmas trees are put in different businesses and adorned with angel tags with the name, ages and needs of both youngsters and senior citizens. The individuals identified benefit from the generosity of area residents who claim the tags, buy the requested or suggested gifts and return them, unwrapped to the “angel’s” place of origin.

The tree currently carrying names of children in need fortunately has only a few angels left to be claimed — less than a half-a-dozen. It’s at National Bank of Arizona, from the Salvation Army.

The Salvation Army is still accepting names of youngsters, from newborns to those 17 years of age. Contact Jenny Wager at National Bank of Arizona for details, (928) 474-1696. She said unwrapped gifts are due back at the bank by Dec. 22. The bank is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Thursday and from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Friday. The Salvation Army may place an additional tree in Walmart if the need arises, she said.

National Bank is located at 804 S. Beeline Highway, Payson.

Trees in the Edward Jones offices in Payson and Pine have the senior citizen angels and each has about 30 angels yet to be adopted. Gifts for the adopted angels need to be returned by Dec. 17. All three offices are open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Visit the Edward Jones offices at 411 S. Beeline, Payson; 113 W. Main, Payson; or 4010 N. Highway 87, Pine.

The Salvation Army still needs about four-dozen bell ringers for the Payson area. The men and women who participate in this program do not receive payment for their time, they are all volunteers, Wager said. To share some of your time with the Salvation Army, call Ray Kinsman at (928) 474-6577.