The adoption of the final Angel from the Salvation Army’s annual campaign was a relief in the first phase of this sometimes-stressful program. Unfortunately, the response to the second phase has not been as fast.

As of Thursday, Salvation Army Major Tonya Roberts said there are still about 300 gifts for Angels that need to be returned. With a Dec. 9 deadline, Roberts said time is running short.

“(Friday) is the day all the gifts are due back and we have 361 that have been returned,” she said. “We’re working at the Armory right now to get everything together and we need to account for them all because we give them out next Thursday. We have to make sure all 645 kids have something.”

The Salvation Army’s Franklin Street office will be open through 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 9, Roberts said, to accommodate any late arrivals. There will also be someone at the office Saturday to take any other donations.

Roberts encouraged those who adopted angels to bring in their gifts or donations so the Salvation Army will not have to dip into its Red Kettle funds.

“The key thing is to bring them,” she said. “Get them there. If they don’t bring them in we have to use the money from the kettle, which we use for programs throughout the year.”

For more information on gift drop offs or donations, call 872-1646.