Christmas makes everyone think of Santa Claus, elves, toys and angels.

Harlan County has four angels of its own.

Four women who work at Harlan Countians for a Healthy Community (HCHC) are in their third year with the Angel Tree, a program that gives toys and clothing to underprivileged children in Harlan County for Christmas.

BB&T used to be in charge of the program, then it was turned over to the women.

"We collect names from all of the schools of kids who are in need through the resource centers," said administrative assistant Yvonda Mowery.

Mowery added that it's mainly for grade schools, but if the children have an older brother or sister in high school, they will take their names, too.

The names are then put on trees in different businesses throughout Harlan County.

The businesses participating this year are the Dollar General on Sukey Ridge, the Dollar General at the Village Center Mall, Big Lots, Jewelcraft, Cardinal Financial, The Bank of Harlan and Wal-Mart.

Also, employees at Harlan ARH Hospital take names of children before the trees are even out, as does the Harlan Middle School Beta Club, the James A. Cawood High School Resource Center, Sunshine Baptist Church and Harlan Christian Church.

"Anyone can participate," said coordinator Teana Burns. "We just ask that if you take a name, each child gets an outfit of clothing, shoes and maybe a toy."

You can drop the gifts off either at the business you selected the name from, or at HCHC.

Around 500 children get gifts each year through the Angel Tree.

The Angel Tree gifts are given out on Dec. 17 at the National Guard Armory.

The Armory donates the space for the gifts to be given out in.

Each child gets to see Santa Claus. They get a treat bag, cookies, milk and their gifts.

Family health navigator Sally Jo Middleton is ecstatic about the Angel Tree.

"My family and I look forward to this," said Middleton. "My mother and my two daughters work on this with us every year."

Family health navigator Geneva Jackson said the work is worth it.

"It's a lot of work getting ready for this," said Jackson, "but it's definitely worth it to see the looks on the children's faces when they get to see Santa Clause."

For Burns, the Angel Tree is kind of a bittersweet experience.

"You'll work, work, work on the day this is done," said Burns, "then you'll have to go and cry. It's sad."

Mowery feels children of all ages should experience working with the Angel Tree.

"I look forward to working on this every year," said Mowery. "It's exciting to see the children come in knowing they're going to go home with a bag of gifts they may not have gotten if it wasn't for the Angel Tree. All kids should experience working with the Angel Tree to see how fortunate they really are."

Middleton said working with the Angel Tree will give you the "Christmas spirit."

Donations in the form of cash can also be made to the Angel Tree. With this money, the four women go out and shop for the children that did not get picked from a tree.

"Every child gets something," said Burns.

For more information on how to make a donation, call (606) 573-6115, or write to P.O. Box 751 Harlan, KY 40831.