Despite low donations this year, the Salvation Army of Greater Houston just finished delivering over 100,000 donated gifts to over 23,000 disadvantaged children and seniors who had applied for assistance through the annual Angel Tree program.

The program has always relied on the generosity of either individuals or corporations who are willing to purchase and donate unwrapped toys or other gifts for families or individuals who could otherwise not afford presents for Christmas.

These presents are brought to the Salvation Army and then delivered to needy families before Christmas eve.

Despite this great success, the Salvation Army, which has been in operation for 119 years, has seen a severe dip in donations over the past year.

The Salvation Army's Red Kettle Campaign, the Unites States' oldest charitable fund-raiser, received 16 percent fewer donations this year in comparison to 2007.

Marshall Gesner, Area Commander for the Salvation Army's Houston branch, reported Angel Tree gift donations were so low this year that the Salvation Army had to spend more money than in past years in order to purchase the needed gifts.

“This year has been an especially challenging one for us because of all the difficulties we are facing as a community, " Gesner stated in a press release.

"Not only are we affected by a national economic downturn, but we have also been through a very damaging hurricane this year."

“At the same time that our list of families in need has grown, our list of potential donors has decreased."

"We really need additional donations to make up for the money we have already spent.”

There is hope, however.

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