Christmas Season

It’s hard to imagine the Christmas season without The Salvation Army. It’s even harder to imagine The Salvation Army without its volunteers and partners. For more information on how you can share your time and resources with those in need this holiday season, contact Kristen.

Tree of Lights  November 20-January 31

Tree of Lights is the umbrella campaign over all of The Salvation Army’s Christmas fundraising initiatives beginning just before Thanksgiving. The season begins with a tree lighting cermony on our front lawn. Our 2007 and 2008 Tree of Lights corporate partner is Wal-Mart.

Red Kettles  November 20 – December 24

The Red Kettle has been the icon of The Salvation Army fundraising for decades. In fact, The song Silver Bells, first sung by Bob Hope in the movie The Lemon Drop Kid, was inspired by the imagery of Salvation Army bellringers standing outside department stores every Christmas season.

In addition to the traditional Christmastime bell ringers and Red Kettle program, The Salvation Army has developed a number of ways to expand and update the campaign with Paper Red Kettles and On-line Red Kettles.

Angel Tree thru December 17

Angel Tree is a program to collect toys and games for distribution to pre-screened needy families at the annual Toy Shop. Businesses can participate as public collection sites or invite employees to donate as part of an internal campaign. In 2007, over 8500 toys were collected for these families.

Toy Shop December 17

Each December, The Salvation Army partners with WISH TV 8 to provide toys to needy families where at least one parent is working or in school.  Applications are collected throughout the month of November and are checked with the United Christmas Service.  Eligible applicants are invited to a “toy shop” where they are escorted by a volunteer who helps them shop for their children.