Help make spirits brighter this Christmas
Love beyond hard times, hunger and crisis this season. Help The Salvation Army make spirits brighter this Christmas through various holiday programs in the Grand Traverse area.
Make Christmas Morning Bright:
Every Christmas there are children who are at risk of not receiving gifts because their families are struggling financially and gifts are beyond reach. The Salvation Army’s Holiday Assistance Toy Shop exists to ensure that these children have a wonderful holiday season with their families. Children 12 and under receive gifts through generous donations and our partnership with Toys for Tots. You can help spread the joy by purchasing non-toy items from our Christmas Wishes list, supporting Toys for Tots, or conveniently shop on online at Walmart Angel Tree Christmas Registry
Adopt a Teen:
UPDATE: ANGELS STILL NEEDED! Our Teen Angel program ensures that teens are not left out of the joys of the holidays. We invite you as a group, business, family, or individual to join us in spreading the joy of the season by becoming a Teen Angel! Together we can ensure that teens, 13-17 years of age are not overlooked this holiday season. We know that it is tough to buy for teens - however, through the Teen Angel program families provide a wish list, sizes, favorite colors, and other personal information to make gift buying fun and rewarding. Click here for a Teen Angel application Online Application Please contact Susie Afton at 231-946-4644 ext. 307 or email susie.afton@usc.salvationarmy.org for more information. Teen Angel financial donations accepted here, gift cards are also gratefully accepted in increments of $20-25.
Sponsor the Thanksgiving and Christmas Community Meals or holiday food baskets
Join The Salvation Army to help ensure that our vulnerable neighbors can join together in celebration this holiday season during our Thanksgiving and Christmas Community Meals and families can gather around the tables with their loved ones during the holidays. Click here for Sponsorship and Partnership Opportunities. Please contact Joan Heuser at 231-946-4644 ext. 310 for more information.
become a red kettle sponsor
When you join The Salvation Army as a Red Kettle Sponsor you are helping to meet the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of our community members in their time of need. Please click here for Sponsorship and Partnership Opportunities or contact Joan Heuser at 231-946-4644 ext. 310 for more information to learn about partnership and sponsorship opportunities that provide a great opportunity show your support of The Salvation Army programs and our neighbors in need as well as a teaming building opportunity.
Register To Bell Ring:
Share the joy of the seasons by volunteering to bell ring as an individual, family, or group! All funds raised stay local to provide local programs to our neighbors in need. Register to ring and make Christmas bright and bring hope in 2024. Check out the Top 10 ten reasons to Bell Ring!
Register to Ring online at Register to Ring or contact Volunteer Director, Mary Vollink at 231-946-4644 ext. 303 or by email.
Click here for additional information on the Red Kettle Campaign, Bell Ringing opportunities as well as special days, and Sponsorship opportunities. NEW Indoor Bell Ringing opportunities
Special Bell Ringing Days:
Realtor Ring Day - Friday, December 6
We hope you will consider participating during Realtor Ring Day and encourage your fellow Real Estate offices and partners to participate and even challenge to a friendly competition. Or join the Red Kettle efforts another day or in other ways individually or as a team throughout the holiday season. Click here for more information. Contact Mary for additional information and available locations.
Changemakers Day - Saturday, December 7
Show your support of The Salvation Army mission and programs by highlighting your business at a Red Kettle by matching donations December 7. Your Red Kettle match inspires others to join the Fight for Good! This is also a wonderful opportunity to bring your team together to Bell Ring and give the priceless gift of hope. (Bell Ringing not a requirement of being a Changemaker supporter). Contact Joan Heuser at 231-946-464 ext. 310 for more information.
Church Bellsan Ring - Friday and Saturday, December 13 and 14
"Doing the Most Good" - in these four words is our undertaking - to feed, to clothe, to comfort, and to care; to rebuild broken homes and broken lives. By walking with the addicted, we can lead them to recovery. In fighting hunger and poverty, we can feed and nurture the spirit. In helping families take the first step out of poverty, we can lead them and future generations out of the darkness of crisis. By exploring and providing new experiences for youth, we can grow confident leaders of tomorrow. And, in living and sharing the Christian Gospel by meeting tangible and human needs, we give the world a lasting display of the love behind our beliefs. Contact Mary at 231-946-4644 ext. 303.
Host a Toy/Gift/Winter Accessories Drive:
Each year The Salvation Army has more toys and gift requests than we can handle on our own. We need generous partners like you to help us provide thousands of toys, gifts, socks, and winter accessories to children and adults. If you or your group would like to host a toy, gift, sock, or another kind of donation drive for The Salvation Army, please contact Mary Vollink at 231-946-4644 ext. 303 or email mary.vollink@usc.salvationarmy.org.
Host a food and hygiene drive:
The need for food and hygiene items is continual throughout the holidays and year. Feeding hunger goes beyond food it is the fuel needed to nourish the body, mind, and soul. Hygiene items provide not only good health but promote confidence and self-dignity. Click here for a most needed non-perishable food and hygiene flyer.
Sponsor a Food Basket:
One of the most wonderful times of the holidays is gathering around the table with loved ones for a festive holiday dinner. All families registering for holiday assistance have the opportunity to sign-up for a Thanksgiving or Christmas Food Basket with all the fixings. You can help gather families around the table in celebration by sponsoring a food basket with a $40 donation. Donations can be mailed to: The Salvation Army Traverse City, PO Box 5228, Traverse City, MI 49696. Please mark Holiday Food Baskets in the memo line.
Volunteer:
The Salvation Army could not fulfill its mission as effectively without the assistance of dedicated volunteers who share their skills and time to enhance our programs. We have one-time, short-term, and long-term opportunities for individuals and groups. Volunteers are needed to sort, organize, and distribute toys, assist with the preparation and distribution of holiday Thanksgiving and Christmas Food Baskets, Bell Ringing, administrative and guest relations throughout the holidays. Click here for volunteer opportunities. Contact the Volunteer Director, Mary Vollink, to sign up at Mary.Vollink@usc.salvationarmy.org or call 231-946-4644.
Make A Financial Donation:
Your financial donation to our Red Kettle and Holiday campaigns is a priceless gift of hope to our vulnerable neighbors in their time of need!
Donate at a Red Kettle
Donate our Virtual Red Kettle securely online - click here
Donate by Mail: The Salvation Army, PO Box 5228, Traverse City, MI 49696
Donate in person: The Salvation Army, 1239 Barlow St. Traverse City, MI 49686
Do you know someone who needs assistance:
Click here to find out more about Holiday Assistance Registration or to help spread the word.