The Angel Tree Ministry program returns this year to help spread the joy of Christmas to hundreds of children in low-income families of the community.

Jane Manuel, program director, coordinates the Angel Tree Ministry program, which along with the First Baptist Church of Carriere, provides Christmas presents to children of incarcerated adults.

The program has been fulfilling the wishes of children in Pearl River County for the last 37 years. This year Manuel said she would like to help more than the 576 children helped the previous year, Manuel said.

“There are so many children out there who need our support and we’ll make sure to reach out to each and every one of them,” Manuel said.

A motorcycle run will take place Saturday, Nov. 18, to raise money for the program. Registration begins at 8 a.m. and the ride planned by Glenn Gilmore starts at 10 a.m. from the First Baptist Church of Carriere, located on Highway 11.

To participate in the run, it will cost $20 per rider, which includes lunch. Proceeds will primarily be used to purchase bicycles for the children in the program while the rest will go to the Angel Tree Ministry for other gifts.

The two-hour ride ends with lunch served at the church. Plate lunches will also be sold for $10 to those who do not participate in the ride. Plates include brisket, fish or chicken, along with baked beans and cupcakes, Manuel said.

The run has increased in participation over the past years, from just a handful in its first year to 40 riders last year.

“It grows every year. People from all over the county extend their help. I like to sit back and watch God move people,” Manuel said.

Every year, Manuel writes down every child’s wish list on a paper angel and hangs them on trees that adorn several local businesses in town.

Each angel will have the child’s name and their Christmas wish printed on it.

The angels can be found at local businesses such as Bank Plus, Claiborne Hill, Walmart, First National Bank and several others.

“We have a lot of people trying to spread negativity about helping children with parents in jail, but our goal is to serve kids and we will do just that,” Manuel said.

For more information about the Angel Tree Ministry or details about the run, contact Manuel at 601-798-6301.