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PARKERSBURG -Christmas trees decorated with paper angels in stores and restaurants are a reminder of those in need, especially during the holiday season.

The Salvation Army Parkersburg Corps, which sponsors the annual Angel Trees, is hoping more people in the Mid-Ohio Valley will open their hearts and take an angel or two from the roughly dozen trees set up throughout the area.

"All of the trees are up and a number of children have been adopted for the year," said Maj. Vernon Dolby with the organization.

The Salvation Army is working to provide Christmas presents to between 1,800 and 2,000 children this year, which come from about 600 local families.

"The number of angels on the trees is certainly up from last year," Dolby said. "The economy has hit families hard and we are seeing it, unfortunately."

Last year's Angel Tree drive gave about 1,500 children Christmas gifts and more than 500 families baskets for Christmas dinner in Wood, Pleasants, Ritchie, Calhoun, Wirt and Jackson counties.

"The economy has brought about 100 families and 500 more children to ask us for help," Dolby said.

The 2007 Christmas season had even fewer families receiving assistance with 287, roughly half the number in 2008.

"People are really hurting and we are here to help them through the season in any way we can," Dolby said.

Angel Trees are set up around the area, including both Parkersburg Wal-Mart and Kmart stores as well as Coldwater Creek, Sears, Shoney's, St. Margaret Mary Church, Union Traders Credit Union, Cracker Barrel and Wood County Community Federal Credit Union.

Even if there are angels left on the trees come Dec. 14 when all donations are due at the organization's office at 534 Fifth St., Dolby said.

"We are not going to allow anybody not to receive," he said. "We will see to it that everybody has a Christmas."

While Angel Trees are for children's holiday gifts, the Salvation Army provides a meal basket to each family so they will be able to have a Christmas dinner.

Money to pay for the meals and extra presents comes from donations to the Salvation Army and from the organization's red kettles, which began Nov. 13.

Dolby said he is worried about making this year's $150,000 goal with the economic situation and the to-date donations.

"The red kettles are down about $7,000 from this point last year, which was far below our goal of $140,000," Dolby said. "I'm scared to death of how we are going to pay for everything. but we will make sure everyone has a good Christmas and we will worry about the bills later."