CALUMET – Registration for the Copper Country Angel Mission’s Angel Tree Program closes on Monday. This registration is for those needing assistance providing gifts for their children this Christmas. Renee Tuoriniemi, Angel Mission volunteer, said that Monday is the absolute deadline for registration, because the Mission needs time to match families with a sponsor.

Anonymity is maintained for both families and sponsors, said Tuoriniemi. The sponsor is not informed on who they are sponsoring, and the sponsor is not identified with to the recipient. Tuoriniemi said, however, that information provided in the registration will be shared with the Mission’s partnership programs, The Salvation Army, and Keweenaw County’s No Kid Without a Christmas.

Tuoriniemi said these three are working together through a central organization, to filter the possibility of families applying to all three charities. “In the registration, they’re allowed to choose two needs and two wants,” Tuoriniemi said. While the Angel Mission and the Salvation Army served more than 500 at Coat the Copper Country, she said, people are still requesting winter ware. “One of the other big items they need,” she said, “is warm bedding,” Tuoriniemi said, “and each item has to be between $20 and $50, because not every sponsor can afford to buy for many children.”

Deb Siira, who is also an Angel Mission volunteer, said that while the registration deadline for families in need is Monday, the deadline for sponsors to register is Sunday, Dec. 14. “Online registration is online, 24/7,” she said. For families wishing to register for the Angel Tree, and those wishing to sponsor a family more information, including the registration forms, are available on the Angel Mission website at ccangelmission.org