Joe Imel/Daily NewsThe Bowling Green Salvation Army's Angel Tree Program has nearly thousands of children across South Central Kentucky that are in need this Christmas holiday. From bikes to clothes to toys, local volunteers are assembling bags of donated items for the children this week.

During a time when many people receive little, several community members are giving a lot this holiday season.

The Salvation Army in Bowling Green is nearing its goal for the red kettle fundraiser and only a few names remain on this year’s Angel Trees.

“I stand amazed at what this community does in helping the people of this area,” Salvation Army Maj. Ed Binnix said. “I’ve been in The Salvation Army almost 16 years and never seen the kind of generosity I’ve seen in this community.”

Each year, The Salvation Army asks residents to adopt a less fortunate child for the holidays, buying gifts for children who ordinarily would not get many presents. This year, about 3,500 to 3,800 names hung on trees at local businesses – an increase from last year. Now, about 25 names are left on the trees.

“Those … children have yet to be adopted, so we’re hoping we have some last-minute people who will scramble out and get those,” Binnix said. “We don’t guarantee that the angels will get adopted when people apply, but they usually do.”

And it’s not too late to sponsor a child. People can adopt from the Angel Tree this week as long as they get their gifts in as soon as possible – organizers will begin delivering gifts Thursday, Salvation Army Maj. Carla Binnix said.

“We are so dependent on the people of Bowling Green,” she said. “We serve nine counties, so it’s not just here.”

A few angels are still on the tree in front of J.C. Penney in Greenwood Mall.

The deadline to turn in gifts for the Angel Tree was extended through Monday, but “we don’t want our deadline to create a problem to where kids aren’t getting Christmas (gifts),” Ed Binnix said. “So we’ll continue to take them. We won’t turn them away.”

People still can drop off gifts at The Salvation Army at 400 W. Main Ave. So far, about 80 percent of adopted children have gifts, which is a good rate, Carla Binnix said.

There’s no limit on the amount of money a person can spend on a child.

“I have children adopt (other children) and bring in a bracelet or a piece of jewelry,” Carla Binnix said.

This Christmas, the sluggish economy has affected several families. Last year, about 840 households registered their children for the Angel Tree program and, this year, nearly 900 households participated, Ed Binnix said.

Families apply for the program in October and, to qualify, they must be close to poverty levels. Usually, some people don’t qualify because they make too much money, but few families were disqualified this year, Ed Binnix said.

Still, the economy has helped some programs. So far, people have donated about $81,000 through the red kettle fundraiser – Salvation Army workers and volunteers are ringing bells outside more than 10 Bowling Green stores, asking people to give money.

The organization hopes to raise $100,000 and, if the weather cooperates, it should reach that goal. In a recession, most people know someone who is struggling and, therefore, they’re more inclined to donate, Ed Binnix said.

“It really causes somebody to be generous because they know the need is there,” he said.

The money raised represents 20 percent of The Salvation Army’s overall budget, Ed Binnix said.

“If you have a bad Christmas fundraising season, you do have a bad year,” he said.

In fact, people and groups can pay $150 to adopt a kettle for the day. That donation allows The Salvation Army to make money without paying workers to ring the bell that day. So far, about 20 kettles have been adopted, Ed Binnix said.

The Salvation Army will collect money outside stores until 3 p.m. Dec. 24 and still needs volunteers to ring the bells.

“Anybody that we can get to ring the bells and volunteers is a big plus,” because the organization does not have to pay them, Ed Binnix said. “Also, they bring in more money because they know people in the community. When you see somebody you know, it’s a little bit easier to donate to that person.”

— To volunteer or adopt a kettle, or for more information about the Angel Trees, call 843-3485.