LOUISVILLE, Ky. — As shoppers snap up deals ahead of Christmas, there are several unique trees in malls and stores across the Commonwealth with angels in need of adoption.

The Salvation Army's Angel Tree program has more than 800 Kentucky children who need help to deliver the magic of Christmas. The program helps provide Christmas gifts to children across the nation.

“When a child believes in Santa Claus and wakes up on Christmas morning and doesn’t have anything just the thought of it breaks my heart," said Linda Pace, a volunteer with Salvation Army. 

Angel Tree is a tradition for many families during the holidays and a way Pace shares the spirit of the season with others who are less fortunate. 

“I think it's important that we help anyone whether they’re employed and just trying to make ends meet or unemployed,” Pace said. 

This grandmother and longtime Angel Tree volunteer is now determined to provide a little bit of joy. The program helps 7,000 kids in Louisville, but there are still more than 800 angels waiting.

“I’m asking for everyone to please find a place in your heart to come out and get an angel,” Pace said.

The deadline to adopt an angel is December 7th. Captain Jimmy Parrish, Louisville Area Commander of the Salvation Army, is now calling on the community to help rescue Christmas for them. 

“There are many children that need Christmas to come this year. There are many parents that need to be rescued from a pandemic in which they’ve lost their financial income, they’ve been on hard lock,” Parrish explained.

This year, the organization is seeing a 150% increase in the number of people needing assistance through its annual program. 

“We probably get anywhere from 50 to 100 calls a day trying to get on the Angel Tree Program but we just refer them to other agencies,” explains Parrish. 

Nick Metry is adopting four angels and told Spectrum News 1,” I been feeling very blessed recently and feeling it was a good idea to just come give back to the community.”

The college student says when he was a kid he remembered having a good Christmas with his family and wants to share some of that Christmas spirit. 

“I’ve never had a situation where I’m like not fortunate enough to have a good Christmas and obviously with all this going on, my parents haven’t been unemployed,” Metry said.

With the constant challenges brought on by the pandemic, Metry and Pace know their generosity can inspire a sense of giving. 

“I think it’s a good idea if you have the means to supply other people with gifts then I think it's a great thing to do,” Merry said.

“You have to believe to receive so everyone believe and dig deep into your pockets,” Pace said.