‘Adopting’ a little angel from a tree at the local Envision branch will go a long way in brightening someone’s Christmas season.

Little paper angels, hanging off trees at Envision Financial branches across the Lower Mainland – including the including the Ridge Meadows location at 20133 Lougheed Hwy. – represent a person who could use some Christmas cheer this holiday season.

Envision Financial, in partnership with the TIMES sister paper, the Langley Advance, is launching the Angel Tree program for a third consecutive year.

All Envision Financial locations will display a decorated Christmas tree with angel ornaments, each representing a child, youth or senior in the local community.

People are encouraged to take an angel from a tree and return it with a new and unwrapped gift to any participating location by Dec. 8.

All gifts and/or cash donations collected will be delivered to a local non-profit agency or Christmas bureau.

While the tree at the Ridge Meadows Envision isn’t up yet, the public is encouraged to visit the location to take an angel.

The branch’s hours are Monday to Thursday from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Fridays from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturdays from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Call the branch at 604-539-5925.

In addition to selecting an angel off each tree, starting this year, people also have the option of selecting a tin can ornament off the tree, and returning it with a non-perishable food item or cash donation.

“The statistics really speak to the need for this program,” Envision Financial manager of corporate citizenship Susan Byrom said. “One in five children in B.C. live under the poverty line and this year alone, B.C. food banks served over 28,000 kids. That’s why we are so proud of our Angel Tree Program.”

Byrom said that by participating, local “residents have the opportunity to make the holidays brighter for families, children and seniors in our communities.”

In 2011 our Angel Tree program gave 600 Christmas gifts to residents in our local communities and this year we want to give even more.”

To see the video www.youtube.com/envisionfinancial