It's not Santa, but the Salvation Army that’s already started distributing Christmas gifts.

Nearly 5,000 people statewide applied for a little extra help this holiday season through the Angel Tree Program.

Children and senior citizens are eligible to get a gift and often they get much more.

"Oh, and jeans, he got jeans he loves jeans!"

Wanda Wilson is going through the goodies her 6-year-old son will get.

"And a nice educational toy that should help him a lot in kindergarten," said Wilson. "I'm going to take it home and hide it and it will be from Santa because he's still in the Santa phase."

She is one of the thousands that needed a little help paying for gifts this holiday season.

"I think it's a blessing because I work full time and I'm a single mom and I still have a hard time making ends meet and I think it’s a blessing," Wilson said.

Norine Loui has four kids. She's right in the middle of moving and was running out of funds.

"Actually this Christmas has been the worst for us financially and if not for Salvation Army I would not have been able to get gifts for four of my children this year," said Loui.

The Vanderford family and their two kids got gifts and hope.

"By the grace of God we came to pick up presents and it also picks up spirit too. Gives me hope," said Vincent Vanderford.

Hope for families helped by the Salvation Army's Angel Tree Program where people pull an angel with a wish written on it like a keyboard, trucks or dolls and even rice cookers for senior citizens who can also request gifts.

"We gave gifts to poor people," said 7-year-old Layla Santos.

People like Tyson and Leila Santos bought toys for other kids this year. Their grandmother wanted to teach them about the giving.

"They're fortunate enough to get a lot of gifts themselves so it's neat they learn at an early age it’s important to give back," said Faith Higashiguchi, grandmother.

Wednesday was the last day for people to turn in a gift but there are still about 300 wishes that have not been fulfilled from people who pulled a tag but did not return the present.

The Salvation Army said those kids will still get a gift it just may not be exactly what they wished for.

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