GALLIPOLIS — The Angel Tree Program is designed to help the children and seniors of Gallia County with Christmas.

It has long been a program associated with the Gallia County Department of Job and Family Services (GCDJFS). However, serious budget cuts to the agency came with significant staffing cuts. Knowing this is a much needed program, GCDJFS is asking churches, individuals, businesses, non-profit agencies and philanthropic organizations to join in the effort to keep this program alive.

Representatives from various agencies have met, and have restructured the program. It is their belief with the changes they are making, more people may be helped. By bringing names and wishes to a centralized site it will prevent the duplications of services to those families who contact every agency and receive items from each one.

The residents of Gallia County have the opportunity to continue this program by removing a tag from the Angel Tree and making a purchase. The trees will be located at Wal-mart and K-Mart. The customers will leave the purchased gifts at the respective stores, and volunteers will collect them for distribution.

To have a name placed on one of the trees a person must first complete an application. The applications are located at GCDJFS, 848 Third Ave., the Senior Center, 1165 Ohio 160, and Holzer Clinic, 90 Jackson Pike. The necessary applications must be returned to one of these agencies by Friday, Dec. 4 to qualify.

Applicants will be contacted to receive the gifts no later than Dec. 21. Please keep in mind this project has no type of funding other than donations therefore it is possible that not all applicants will receive a gift without your help.