URGENT: The Salvation Army is still awaiting 800 Angel Tree gift returns. Please return Angel Tree or Silver Bell items no later than 4 pm, Thursday, December 8, to 9204 Stony Point Parkway.
The holiday season is filled with challenges for area families this year. For the Salvation Army, the funds raised through its iconic red kettles are at risk this year due to COVID-19, while requests for services are at an all-time high.
“In Central Virginia, nearly 6,000 individuals rely on The Salvation Army’s support each Christmas. With more individuals needing support for the first time following the economic impact of COVID-19, we could see that number double,” Captain Jason Burns of The Salvation Army Central Virginia said. “We are committed to providing hope to the most vulnerable, but we need the community’s support now more than ever to do so. We are looking at new options to make donating safer and simpler than ever so that we can also keep the safety of our donors and volunteers safety a priority as we continue to navigate the pandemic.”
Since March, The Salvation Army of Central Virginia has provided more than 10,000 meals, 198 nights of safe shelter, and emotional and spiritual support to hundreds of people in need. While the need for support has always been there, this year it is greater than ever, with support for Christmas expected to increase as well. As fewer individuals are shopping in person or carrying cash as a result of the pandemic, The Salvation Army could see up to a 50 percent decrease in funds raised nationally through the red kettles, which would limit their capability to provide services for the most vulnerable. To put this in perspective, last year $126 million was raised nationally through about 30,000 red kettles. Locally, red kettles raised $290,000 through nearly fifty kettles during the 2019 Christmas season to support our programs throughout the year.
For more about the Salvation Army’s mission in the region, go here.
8 Ways to Support Operation Rescue through Salvation Army of Central Virginia
- The best way to ensure that these vital services continue is to enlist in Love’s Army with a sustaining monthly gift of $25 per month.
- Donate in person at our red kettle locations beginning in November. Locations will be updated on our website as they become confirmed. To help ensure the safety of bell ringers, donors and partners, The Salvation Army has adopted nationally mandated safety protocols.
- Donate digitally with Apple Pay or Google Pay at any red kettle in Central Virginia
- Ask Amazon Alexa to donate by saying, “Alexa, donate to The Salvation Army,” then specifying the amount.
- Adopt an online red kettle to help get a head start on Christmas.
- Give any amount by texting “RVAKETTLE” to 71777
- Donate physical gifts in bulk.
- Adopt additional Angels to give hope and joy to kids and families in need through The Salvation Army’s Angel Tree program.
Angel Trees can be found at retailers throughout the Greater Richmond Area. Angel Trees will be unattended to comply with safe social distancing guidelines. In addition, angels can be adopted online at SalvationArmyCentralVa.org.
The last day to return Angel Tree gifts is Wednesday, December 2.
Here’s the full list of Angel Tree locations this year.
- Chesterfield Town Center – tag pickup and gift drop-off
Short Pump Town Center – tag pickup and gift drop-off
Media Noche at Stony Point Fashion Center – tag pickup - Regency Square Mall – tag pickup
Virginia Center Commons – tag pickup - Wegmans – tag pickup
- Marco’s Pizza (all locations) – tag pickup
- Walmart (Select locations) – tag pickup
- Christmas Center (former Dick’s at Stony Point, 9200 Stony Point Parkway) – gift drop-off
