With three days remaining, the shining hope for a good Christmas for some area children may be dimming as an estimated 500 “Angels” remain up for adoption from the Salvation Army’s Angel Trees.

“To say the least it has been really, really slow,” Maj. Eric Roberts, with the local Salvation Army office, said. “We thought having a number of trees around the area for convenience would have helped, but it doesn’t seem to have been the case.”

Robert said Angels remain on each of the Angel Trees, located at First Cahawba Bank, BankTrust. Walgreen’s, Selma Mall, Dave’s Market in Valley Grande and the Selma-Dallas County Public Library.

“These locations have each been great to work with and they have been a tremendous help,’ Roberts said. “I am not sure if it’s the economy or if it just doesn’t feel like Christmas yet to some people.”

With only three days remaining, and the need to average roughly 167 adopted Angels per day, Roberts and his staff is evaluating just how they are going to meet the demand.

“We are going to have to make up the difference with donations and funds from the kettle drive,” Roberts said, referring to the Red Kettle campaign currently underway. “So, it is so important that we get as much support as we can to ensure all of these children are given the best Christmas possible.”

Roberts said the Thursday, Dec. 9 deadline is important as it gives staff time to compile and organize all of the donations and get them ready for distribution to the families on Thursday, Dec. 16.

“Those wanting to help out, but don’t feel like they have the time to go shop, could also make donations directly to our office on Franklin Street,” Roberts said. “We can then take that money and go out and purchase the items. Often times we can get things cheaper than someone else.”

For more information on the Angel Tree program or to arrange for a donation, contact the Salvation Army locally at (334) 872-1646.