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What would Christmas be without Salvation Army bell ringers? Why, they’re just as big a part of the holiday season as Rudolph and Christmas shopping and eggnog! What you may not know, though, is all of the other ways The Salvation Army helps those in our community who need a hand up. Consider joining with them this holiday season to help your neighbors in need.
Bell Ringers
You can volunteer to man a bell and a donation kettle in Boise or Meridian any Monday through Saturday during the holidays, with shifts available in two- or four-hour increments. The money raised helps support The Salvation Army’s programs throughout the year. To volunteer to ring that bell, contact Darvin Pedersen at 383-4233.
Adopt-a-Family
Help a family have a Merry Christmas by providing stockings and toys for children, along with a traditional ham or turkey dinner with all the trimmings. Do it as a family, or make it a project with your co-workers, friends, church group, or club. Contact Lillian Hubbell at 433-4423
Food Drives
Blankets for Teens
People tend to think “children” when donating Christmas gifts, so young adults often get left out. The Salvation Army wants to provide 250 teens in Ada County with a special gift of a blanket for Christmas this year, and you can help. Pick out your favorite high school or junior high school colors in fleece and make a blanket that will help warm not only the body but the heart of a young adult. Contact Amber Young at 433-4425.
Angel Trees
Host an Angel Tree at your work, church, or school to collect new, unwrapped toys for children in need in Ada County. You set up the tree and find volunteers to buy the gifts, and the Salvation Army will provide Angel Tags that suggest age-appropriate gifts. Contact Marvel Wood at 794-1745.
Food Boxes
Help sort donated food and assemble holiday food boxes that will be distributed to local families. Morning and afternoon shifts are available. Contact Amber Young at 433-4425.
KTVB Cares Day
Stuff the Bus
Valley Ride and local Fred Meyer stores have joined with The Salvation Army to collect new toys to give to needy children in Ada County. Get your co-workers, family, club members, friends, or church group to help collect the toys and unload the buses. Contact Tina Braegger at 433-4428.
Toy N Joy Store
The Toy N Joy Store gives qualified parents the opportunity to personally choose new toys for their children. When they’re finished with their shopping, families receive a holiday food box complete with a ham or turkey. The store is open December 19 to 23, and volunteers are needed to help set up shelving units, stock shelves with toys, assist clients with shopping, help clients load up their food boxes, disassemble shelving units, and clean up. Contact Amber Young at 433-4425.
Donna Bankhead is a contributing writer from Boise.
This year, KTVB Cares Day is December 10. Volunteers are needed to collect donations from the public, put donations into barrels, and load the barrels into trucks at Channel 7. If you’d like to help, contact Tina Braegger at 433-4428.Every month, The Salvation Army serves 800 families, free of charge, through its food pantry. You can help them keep the shelves stocked by hosting a food drive at your work, church, or school to collect turkeys, hams, and non-perishable items and canned food. Contact Mike McCoubrey at 433-4434.
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