Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham is calling on Texans to add a special name to their holiday shopping list this year: a veteran living in one of the state’s veterans homes. The annual Veterans Angel Tree program, which helps ensure no veteran goes without a gift during the Christmas season, has launched across multiple Texas State Veterans Homes.
The initiative allows community members to “adopt” a veteran by selecting their wish list and providing personalized gifts during what can be a particularly lonely time of year for those without family nearby. Buckingham, who also serves as Veterans Land Board Chairwoman, has emphasized the program’s importance for honoring those who served.
How It Works
Similar to The Salvation Army’s well-known Angel Tree program, the Veterans Angel Tree operates by cataloging wish lists from residents of Texas State Veterans Homes. Community members can then select a veteran to support with gifts ranging from practical items to personal treats.
The Salvation Army’s broader Angel Tree program, which primarily serves children and seniors in need, typically suggests items like new clothing, pajamas, and hygiene products, as well as toys and games. The veterans program follows a similar model, with gifts tailored to the specific needs and wishes of elderly veterans.
Want to participate? The Lamun-Lusk-Sanchez Texas State Veterans Home in Big Spring is already accepting angel adoptions, with gifts needing to be returned by December 19, 2025, according to the Texas General Land Office’s website.
Part of a Broader Tradition
The Veterans Angel Tree stands alongside numerous similar programs operating across the state. In Austin, for example, The Salvation Army’s Angel Tree program requires all gifts to be dropped off at designated locations by December 5th, considerably earlier than the veterans program’s deadline in some locations.
“Once an Angel has been registered, their Christmas wish list is catalogued by The Salvation Army and available for the public to adopt,” explains the organization’s Austin Area Command.
Registration requirements vary by program. The Salvation Army’s standard Angel Tree program in places like Olmsted County, Minnesota, requires families to verify household income, address, and children’s ages before they can receive assistance. The Veterans Angel Tree, focused on residents already living in state veterans homes, has a more streamlined process for those wishing to donate.
Interested in supporting veterans in other parts of Texas? The Salvation Army Houston Area Command offers Angel Tree registration with varying dates depending on location. Those with questions about Houston’s program can call 281-207-2500, as noted on their registration page.
For many veterans in these homes, these gifts represent more than just material items — they’re a reminder that they haven’t been forgotten. And in a season often dominated by commercial concerns, the Veterans Angel Tree offers Texans a chance to give back to those who once gave everything for their country.
