Dallas has the highest child poverty rate among big cities with 38 percent of DFW area children living in poverty, according to The Dallas Morning News. This holiday season, help the Salvation Army make life a little easier for those in need. The Salvation Army Angel Tree hangs angel tags as ornaments, labeled with the name of a child and their Christmas wish.

The Angel tree is located outside Macy’s department store in NorthPark Center. Pick an angel and drop off their gift by Dec. 6 and the Salvation Army will deliver it to the child by Christmas. The tradition was created in 1979 to help relieve the stress of gift giving for millions of families every year.

Angels are referred by social service agencies and schools to the Salvation Army, where they are interviewed to confirm that they are in need. NorthPark Center Angel Tree patrons have helped more than 40,000 North Texans.

SMU senior Lexi Brantley grew up supporting this tradition and looks forward to it every Christmas.

“My parents always wanted us to appreciate the sentiment that ‘giving is better than receiving.’ That’s really become important in my life,” Brantley said.

Angel cards include the child’s name, age, clothing size, need and wish. One angel card hangs on the tree for Wilmer, a 10-year-old boy who needs tennis shoes. His Christmas wish is an art set.

Help fulfill an impoverished child’s Christmas wish by heading to NorthPark mall and picking an angel from the tree.