Never Miss a Chance to Do the Most Good
Please enter your name, email and zip code below to sign up!
Never Miss a Chance to Do the Most Good
Please enter your name, email and zip code below to sign up!
The Salvation Army brightens the holiday season for those in need through:
Our iconic red kettles signal the start of the holiday season!
The Salvation Army of Winnebago County is currently in need of volunteer bell ringers for the upcoming holiday season. There will be Red Kettle locations at 20 Winnebago County businesses from November 8 through December 24, 2024. Time slots for bell ringers are available from 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays.
Every coin that finds its way into the red kettle stays local—directly impacting the lives of our neighbors through services such as our local pantry, rental, and utility assistance, youth programs, emergency disaster services, and more!
Scheduling for a bell-ringing shift is fast and easy. Just go to registertoring.com and take a few minutes to set up your account. Then, review the available locations and times listed on the site. A few clicks later and you will receive a confirmation email with all of the information you will need.
Register as an individual, family, business, team, etc. You can also volunteer to ring bells virtually! If you have any questions, please contact Lori Heiser at 815-262-2533 or via email.
From September to January, you can also help brighten the holidays by fundraising or donating through our Virtual Red Kettle.
Angel Tree ensures that all children have a gift to open for Christmas, The Salvation Army identifies families in need through our corps social service program. Donors purchase requested gifts for the children, and the Army provides each family a box full of special foods for the holiday season. The gifts go directly to the parents, who can wrap and give the gifts themselves, preserving the dignity and joy of the entire family.
Adopt an Angel
Groups, businesses, and families can register to become an angel. Angel tags are available from October 1 through December 2, 2024. Please contact Shan Johnson or call 815-972-1135 for a form to complete. On the form, you can ask for the number of children (Angel Tags) your group can commit to fill. The Angel Tags list the age, gender, and wish list of a child or teen. We suggest spending no more than $50 per tag.
Angel Tree Return Date: On or before Friday, December 6, 2024
➢ Drive-Through Toy Drop Off at the 12-Hours of Salvation Toy Drive on December 6 from 7:00 am-7:00 pm at Lou Bachrodt Auto Mall, 7070 Cherryvale N. Blvd.
➢ Last Minute Toy Drop Off at the Christmas Distribution Center on Friday, December 13, between 10:00 am-3:00 pm at 5460 E. State Street in Rockford (old Circuit City building)
➢ Toy Pick-Up NO LATER THAN Thursday, December 5 at your location; pick-up times are 10:00 am-2:00 pm
Please call 815-972-1135 or email Shan Johnson with any questions or to arrange for a pick-up.
Walmart Registry for Good
Make a positive impact on our community by purchasing items for our neighbors in need at Walmart. Visit our Walmart Registry for Good to purchase toys and have them sent directly to our offices.
Volunteer at our Toy Distribution
Visit our Volunteer page to find opportunities for volunteering during Christmas and throughout the year.
For more than 25 years, The Salvation Army in Rockford has hosted the Koats for Kids Drives to collect and distribute new and gently used winter coats to needy children living in Winnebago County. If your group is interested in hosting a coat or winter warmth drive, please contact Nancy Jenkins.
The Salvation Army provides Christmas baskets for families unable to create a special meal themselves. Each basket feeds a family of six and includes meat, potatoes, vegetables, biscuits, cake mix, and more. Sign up at saangeltree.org. Contact our Social Services team at 815-972-1135 for more information or any questions.
Each year our food pantry relies on donations of food items: canned vegetables and fruit, pasta, pasta sauce, macaroni and cheese, peanut butter, jelly, rice, and dry beans (please no glass jars). If you would like to host a donation barrel at your company, office or agency, we would love to partner with you. Please email Shan Johnson or call 815-972-1135. If you would like to donate food, view this list of local businesses that are hosting barrels.
With more people facing hardship this year, the need to serve those most vulnerable is greater than ever.
The best way to ensure that services continue is to enlist in Love’s Army with a sustaining monthly gift.
Donate NowOr make a one-time donation
