NATCHEZ — The Junior Auxiliary of Natchez Angel Tree went up Monday at the Concordia Bank at 45 Seargent S. Prentiss Drive.

Angels decorating the tree bear the names of young people who are in need this Christmas season and each angel has recommendations for what people can buy for those children.

Also, this season, the angel tree bears the names of some 25 senior citizens who are in need this season.

For the past five years, the Junior Auxiliary of Natchez has helped some 150 to 200 children per year.

“We want to reach children who may be overlooked on the holidays due to parents being laid off or loss of jobs or death or illnesses,” said Chassity Cannon, member of Junior Auxiliary of Natchez. “The way is it is supposed to work is you get an angel (off the tree) and purchase whatever they want,” Cannon said. “The angel is a base to lead them in the right direction.”

Specific needs of the children up to age 16 are coats and underclothes, Cannon said adding those items should be top priorities and then any items on the wish list beyond that would be appreciated.

Cannon said she would take additional names of children to consider adding to this year’s Angel Tree up until 5 p.m. Friday if people call her at 601-870-0195.

The JA Angel Tree program is just one of many programs the Junior Auxiliary of Natchez conducts year around to help children in Natchez.

To help sponsor the programs, the Junior Auxiliary is hosting Breakfast With the Grinch programs at the JA’s Canteen in Duncan Park at 9 a.m. and again at 10:45 a.m. Dec. 7.

“We do accept monetary donations,” Cannon said, adding checks can be made out to Junior Auxiliary of Natchez and left at the Concordia Bank at 45 Seargent S. Prentiss Drive.