Angels are often popular Christmas tree toppers, but Tharptown Elementary School is doing something a little different with angels this holiday season.

Starting Nov. 13, TES students are encouraging everyone who can to “adopt” a cutout paper angel from their first-ever Angel Tree, which benefits TES students in need of Christmas assistance.

In the past, TES partnered with Tharptown High School for the program, but this year the elementary grades are tackling it on their own, according to teacher Lisa Gann.

“It takes a lot of community effort to get this going, but we’re excited,” Gann said.

School counselor Susan McRight said when someone adopts an angel they have two options: shop for the student that the angel represents or make a monetary donation so the school can shop for them.

“We don’t reveal the names of the students, but on each angel will be a number, the student’s age and gender,” Gann said. Each student represented by an angel submits a wishlist that the adopter or the school will shop from.

The deadline to adopt an angel is Dec. 8, and purchases should be turned in by Dec. 11. Monetary donations are also welcome and can be accepted immediately.

“One hundred percent of the money goes toward the kids. We don’t keep any of it,” Gann said.

The program is led by the recently-elected Ambassadors of the school. McRight said they are doing a lot of the work themselves, including taking charge of the student-led efforts that each class will take on.

“It’s not really about the money or the presents. It’s about giving back to the community and helping during a time of need,” Gann said.

This project is not affiliated with the Salvation Army Christmas Assistance Program.

For more information or to adopt an angel without having to make a trip to TES, contact McRight at 256-332-3404 ext. 7005 or Gann at 256-332-3404 ext. 7028.