Editor's note: This article first appeared in Sun Life Magazine, a Daily Independent publication.

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A Valley holiday tradition returns this month and it’s one that counts on support from local residents.

The recognizable Christmas Angel Trees at malls have been helping to make the holidays cheerful for Arizona kids and families in need for almost 40 years now.

Angel Trees will make their way to 10 Valley shopping malls (plus one in Prescott and one in Flagstaff) this month. The trees are decorated with numbered paper tags that include a child's first name, age, and gender. Donors can adopt an angel from the tree and provide a gift for the child.

Once donors return the unwrapped gifts, Angel Tree helpers will take it from there from wrapping the gifts to getting them into the hands of the child who might otherwise go without.

Angel Trees will appear at:

• Arrowhead Towne Center in Glendale, at 7700 W. Arrowhead Towne Center
• Outlets North Phoenix in Anthem, at 4250 W. Anthem Way
• Arizona Mills in Tempe, at 5000 S. Arizona Mills Circle
• Chandler Fashion Center, at  3111 W. Chandler Blvd.
• Christown Spectrum in Phoenix,  1730 W. Bethany Home Road
• Desert Ridge Marketplace in Phoenix, 21001 N. Tatum Blvd.
• San Tan Village in Gilbert, at 2218 E. Williams Field Road
• Scottsdale Fashion Square, at 7014 E. Camelback Road
• Superstition Springs Center in Mesa, at 6555 E. Southern Ave.
• Tempe Marketplace, 2000 E. Rio Salado Parkway

Holiday hours vary, so check with specific malls prior to visiting.

Families with kids ages 12 and younger may apply for their kids to be part of the program to receive gifts by clicking here.

Angel Trees are decorated with numbered paper tags that include a child's first name, age, and gender. Donors can adopt an angel from the tree and provide a gift for the child.

(Photo provided by The Salvation Army Southwest Division)