More than 500 children in need could have a bleak holiday without the help of some giving angels.

Capt. Jennifer Clanton, of the Salvation Army Gary-Merrillville Corps, said a major sponsor bowed out of their annual Angel Tree program at the last minute this year, causing the organization to scramble to find other donors to take up the slack.

Clanton said the sponsor, which she did not name, usually purchased gifts for 700 to 1,000 children whose names were on the tree.

She said this year the tree held the names and wish lists of more than 1,400 children from Gary, Merrillville, Lake Station, New Chicago, Crown Point and Hobart.

More than 500 remain without sponsors.

“We got the call (last week). It was like a devastation to us,” said Merrillville Council President Richard Hardaway, D-2nd, who is co-chair of the corps advisory council.

“Every child deserves something,” Hardaway said.

“It's a big loss for us. We're trying to find anyone or any business that would like to take an angel off the tree,” Clanton said.

She said the gifts need to be returned to the Salvation Army office, 4800 Harrison St., Gary, no later than Dec. 2.

“We usually talk to sponsors in October. We're scrambling,” Clanton said.

She said recipients range from infants to age 12. Each child provides a list of three toys and three needed items, such as clothing and winter coats, that they would like for the holiday. It's up to the sponsor to decide how many of the items they want to buy, Clanton said.

She said action figures, dolls and other common toys for the age group are on many lists.

“There are no electronics,” Hardaway said, noting their high cost.

Hardaway told of the organization's need during a recent Town Council meeting and said if any individual, organization or business wants to sponsor one or more of the remaining children, he will bring the angel tags to the Merrillville Town Hall, 7820 Broadway, for them.

“We'll do whatever we can do. There are a lot of people in the town of Merrillville who will be looking for something for their kids next month,” Hardaway said.

The Town Council gave a $1,000 donation to the program, intending to sponsor 50 children.

Karen Caffarini is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.