For Janet Hall, it's the perfect shopping trip - one that fills her heart instead of emptying her bank account.

The Rapid City woman is in her second Christmas season as a volunteer for the Salvation Army's Angel Tree Program.

She joins other volunteers at the organization's "Christmas Warehouse" at 401 East Blvd. North as they help sort and stock donated gifts. That's fulfilling, but the real fun comes when she runs a shopping cart down the aisle of the warehouse, filling the hopeful orders of children.

"It's fun," Hall said. "You get to shop without spending any money."

It's also fun, because each shopping trip means a youngster in a low-income family will have Christmas gifts to open. The presents come through the Salvation Army, courtesy of generous donors to fill the "angel tags" hung on Christmas trees placed at sponsoring businesses.

This year, Family Thrift Stores, Herberger's, the Rushmore Mall and Wal-Mart are sponsors. And each day, Salvation Army staffers or volunteers pick up a new batch of presents provided by the generosity of Christmas shoppers.

In his first holiday season as development director for the Salvation Army, Mark Kirkeby is both amazed and humbled by the Angel Tree Program and the volunteers and donors who make it work for kids.

Earlier this week, he stood among the new bicycles, teddy bears, dolls and toy tractors and marveled that it just keeps pouring in.

"This is all donated from one community. Look at that, brand-spanking-new bicycles," Kirkeby said. "We do this because no child should ever wake up without a toy under the tree."

In the back of the warehouse, dozens of bulging, red Christmas bags represented part of the 400 orders already filled. Before the Dec. 21 distribution day, the Angel Tree Program will have accumulated gift bags for more than 2,000 children.

As usual, program coordinator Susan Rodriguez will be up to her elbows in gift-bag preparation and supervision of volunteers. And her gang of "gray-haired little old ladies" will provide the energy that gets it all done.

Both Hall and Rodriguez go beyond the annual Christmas rush in helping prepare for the Angel Tree gift giving. They also watch for toy sales and close-outs during the year, to begin stocking up for the holidays.

"I go to Dollar Stores and places like that to shop," Rodriguez said. "I'm always looking for a deal."

So are the kids served each season by the Angel Tree Project. And they're never disappointed.

Contact Kevin Woster at 394-8413 or kevin.woster@rapidcityjournal.com