CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- An annual tradition to help out children in need this Christmas held its kickoff Saturday.

Its organizers say they need your help to make someone's Christmas more than ever.

The Salvation Army celebrated the start of their Angel Tree Program at Hamilton Place Mall

The program allows volunteers to pick a child to buy Christmas presents for.

Maj. Douglas McClure:, an area commander for the Chattanooga Salvation Army said, "Over 5,000 children were helped in this area last year for the Angel tree program and we've just had as many families sign up this year."

The need they say continues to go up amid inflation.

Maj. Storm McClure, also an area commander, said, "We are seeing record numbers of angels come to us for help every single year."

She understands firsthand the importance of this program as she said, "My mother was a single parent and she was disabled and so she struggled to make ends meet. To provide Christmas for my sister and I was difficult for her. We were recipients of Angel Tree."

She says that it's not just toys she was excited to received, as she added, "It was the one time of the year that I received new clothing that was not hand me downs that was just for me... For me, the clothing and the new shoes were more important to me than the toys. Although I did enjoy getting the new toys as well."

There are many places you can go to help out these children this Christmas.

Maj. Douglas McClure said, "Well the best to find an Angel tree tag is right here at Hamilton Place Mall. But if you can't get out here to Hamilton Place Mall there is an Angel Tree set up at Northgate Mall. We have them all around at our area Walmart locations around town. If you can't find them in those spots, you can stop by at 822 McCallie Avenue at our headquarters and get one during working hours."