ADOPT-A-FAMILY PROGRAM

Families who are in desperate need of basics such as food, clothing and household items during the holidays are placed in the care of the Army’s Adopt a Family program. Each family creates a wish/need list of items which is matched with a volunteer donor team. Businesses, families and school group adopt families in this program, generously meeting the family’s needs and instilling hope in those who have none.

Each year, The Salvation Army helps hundreds of families who are in crisis, enjoy a special holiday. By sponsoring a family, you too can help make the holidays truly blessed and spread cheer to others.

CLICK HERE To learn more about the Adopt-A-Family program and sponsorshipopportunities.

THE SALVATION ARMY BELLRINGERS

AND RED KETTLES

The Red Kettles and bell ringers are perhaps the most visible community-wide Salvation Army program. The Salvation Army's traditional Red Kettles will be at several locations throughout Tucson, ringing in good cheer while collecting donations of pocket monies. The results from the money put into the kettles provides needy families with Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners, gifts for children, coats and shoes for kids, and visitation to the elderly and imprisoned who have no one to care for them. In fact, the donations from the month-long kettle drive help provide the monies for the year-round programs and services for those in need in our community.

CLICK HERE To learn more about the 122- year history of the Red Kettles and to find out more about how to get involved.

ANGEL GIVING TREES & TOY DRIVES

Each Christmas, The Salvation Army can be spotted in malls across America standing next to Christmas trees decorated with little angel ornaments. Each of these Angel Trees are decorated with angel tags that hold Christmas wishes for a boy or a girl, representing the types of children who will be served through The Salvation Army's Christmas Toy Distribution program. It is through the public’s generosity that these children have gifts under the tree on Christmas morning. Each year, Angel Giving Tree sponsors, ranging from shopping malls, neighborhood associations and private companies, volunteer to place Angel Trees in high-traffic areas within their community, organization or office. During the holiday season, customers or employees will select a tag off the tree to fill a child's toy request. The sponsoring organization also serves as a collection point for the gifts, and provides secure storage until a volunteer from The Salvation Army can collect the gifts for distribution to help needy families enjoy the holiday season.

CLICK HERE To learn more about the Angel Tree program

CLICK HERE to learn more about The Toy Distribution Program.

STUFF THE BUS

This annual event, in partnership with KGUN-9 News and SunTran, The Salvation Army raises thousands of toy donations for The Salvation Army's Christmas Toy Distribution program. Over a Friday in December local businesses are a gracious host to the Sun Tran Holiday Bus. From 6am till 6pm the Tucson public is encouraged to bring in new toy donations to "Stuff the Bus." This year's goal is to stuff over 3 buses during the event.

CLICK HERE To learn more about Stuff the Bus locations and details.

CHRISTMAS TOY DISTRIBUTION PROGRAM

Each year, before Christmas, The Salvation Army will host its' annual, Christmas Toy Distribution. During this week, a select number of needy families will be escorted through a warehouse of donated toys, where they can select a few items for each of their children. Community volunteers help as Toy Shop Elves, not only assembling and merchandising the warehouse for the event, but also acting as shopping escorts to help families with their selections. Program recipients are selected through case management referrals, and an open application process through The Salvation Army.

CLICK HERE To learn more about the program and volunteer opportunities.

CHRISTMAS COMMUNITY DINNER

This annual, free dinner on Christmas Day serves over 3500 hot meals to those in need or seeking holiday fellowship. From 11am to 1pm, guests can stop by and enjoy a hot turkey dinner with all the fixings. Those who are home-bound can also call ahead of time and arrange for a home-delivered meal.

CLICK HERE To learn more about the dinner and volunteer opportunities..

THANKSGIVING COMMUNITY DINNER

This annual, free dinner on Thanksgiving Day is held at St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church. It serves over 3600 hot meals to those in need or seeking holiday fellowship. From 11am to 1pm, guests can stop by and enjoy a hot turkey dinner with all the fixings. Those who are home-bound can also call ahead of time and arrange for a home-delivered meal.

Volunteers help put on this all day event.

CLICK HERE To learn more about the dinner and volunteer opportunities.