How Can You Change Lives This Holiday Season?
The Magic of Christmas with The Salvation Army
The sights and sounds of Christmas are unmistakable—the twinkling lights on every corner, the carols filling the air, and the familiar ring of Salvation Army bell-ringers outside your local stores. For many, these small but cherished moments are what make the season feel magical. But beyond the festive decorations and cheerful tunes, have you ever wondered what The Salvation Army does during the Christmas season, and why?
The Salvation Army’s impact shines brightest during the Christmas season. When the Christmas season comes along, The Salvation Army plays a major part in the communities we serve. We continue to help our neighbors who are seeking shelter, food, and clothing throughout the year, but we also prepare for different, maybe more familiar initiatives. Every year, The Salvation Army extends its hand to individuals and families facing hardship, offering not just practical support but also the magic and hope that Christmas brings. This time of year also serves as an ideal opportunity for those feeling called to ministry to get involved!
Angel Tree: Making Christmas Brighter for Families in Need
Started in 1979 in Lynchburg, Virginia, the Angel Tree initiative was created to bring the joy of Christmas to children whose families are facing financial hardship. Through this program, local families, neighbors, and companies come together to "adopt" angels, fulfilling Christmas wishes by purchasing toys, clothes, and other essential items. For many of these children, the Angel Tree provides a sense of normalcy during difficult times, while also allowing their parents the pride and comfort of knowing there will be gifts under the tree on Christmas morning. What began as a small effort has since grown into a cherished tradition, ensuring that no child goes without the magic of Christmas, no matter their circumstances.
What began as a small effort has since grown into a cherished tradition, ensuring that no child goes without the magic of Christmas, no matter their circumstances.
The Holidays Have No Age! - Silver Bell
The Silver Bells Program is very similar to the Angel Tree program, though on the opposite end of the age spectrum! The Silver Bells program focuses on elderly individuals who may feel isolated or overlooked during the holidays. Started as a way to provide Christmas gifts to seniors in need, the program ensures that older members of the community receive items like warm clothing, household essentials, and personal care products. For many seniors, Silver Bells is a reminder that they are valued and not forgotten.
For many seniors, Silver Bells is a reminder that they are valued and not forgotten.
Participating in the Angel Tree or Silver Bells program is a meaningful way to bring joy to a child or senior’s life, while experiencing firsthand the impact of serving others. It’s also an ideal entry point for those exploring full-time ministry, as it offers a tangible way to serve God and the community during the holiday season. Contact your local corps officer to sign up to volunteer today!
Red Kettle Campaign: A Tradition of Giving Back
In San Francisco, Salvation Army pastor, Captain Joseph McFee wanted to bring people off the streets, fellowship and get to know them, hear their stories and struggles, and give them a good, hardy meal. His only obstacle? Funding.
So, Captain McFee took to the streets with a simple, red kettle and asked his community for help. Years later, the initiative had spread across the country to Boston, and from there, the Red Kettle Campaign took flight. The campaign started as a way to feed the hungry and spread the word about what The Salvation Army wants to do in our home-towns, and that hasn’t changed.
By posting our Kettles and Bell Ringers around our cities, we are able to work in the field and engage with members of our community and maybe come into contact with someone we otherwise wouldn't meet! This initiative has blossomed into more than just a way to keep our neighbors fed, but through it, we are able to bring more and more community members into our open arms and lift them up. Not only that, the Red Kettle campaign also helps keep our programs and services running for years to come. It is because of the magnitude of the Red Kettle Campaign that The Salvation Army is now able to provide millions of meals, world-wide, to those who don’t know where their next bite will come from.
It is because of the magnitude of the Red Kettle Campaign that The Salvation Army is now able to provide millions of meals, world-wide, to those who don’t know where their next bite will come from.
Ringing a bell at a Red Kettle might seem small, but this simple gesture helps fund programs that provide food, shelter, and hope to those in need. Many Salvation Army churches across the nation struggle to find motivated volunteers to ring the bell and connect with their community. Volunteering to man a kettle is a great way to dip your toe into ministry and contribute to making a difference in your community! You can register to volunteer here.
Holiday Meals: Feeding Body and Soul During the Season of Giving
For many, the holiday season is marked by the smell of a home-cooked meal, the warmth of family gatherings, and tables laden with traditional Thanksgiving and Christmas dishes. But for some of our neighbors, the simple act of putting fresh food on the table is a challenge, let alone preparing a festive holiday feast. For decades, The Salvation Army has stepped in to fill that gap, serving hot, nourishing meals to those who would otherwise go without.
For decades, The Salvation Army has stepped in to fill that gap, serving hot, nourishing meals to those who would otherwise go without.
Whether it’s the comfort of a warm Christmas dinner at a Salvation Army center or the delivery of a holiday meal to a family’s doorstep, these moments bring more than just food—they offer hope, dignity, and the sense that no one is forgotten. Volunteering at one of these meal services can be a deeply meaningful way to connect with those in need, offering not just physical nourishment, but also the gift of community and care during the most wonderful time of the year.
How Christmas Could Be Your Starting Point to Full-Time MinistrY
The Salvation Army’s holiday efforts aren’t possible without the work of our volunteers– members of our community that are committed to spreading hope and love throughout their hometowns. Christmas is not just a time for giving—it’s a time for reflection and action. For those feeling called to full-time ministry, the Christmas season offers numerous opportunities to get involved and explore that calling. By volunteering with The Salvation Army, whether through the Angel Tree program, Silver Bells, Red Kettles, or holiday meal services, you can gain valuable experience in ministry.
By volunteering with The Salvation Army, whether through the Angel Tree program, Silver Bells, Red Kettles, or holiday meal services, you can gain valuable experience in ministry.
The Salvation Army provides a clear path for those interested in making ministry a permanent part of their lives. From volunteering at local corps to enrolling in The Salvation Army’s Bible College, The Evangeline Booth College, the Christmas season can serve as the first step in answering the call to full-time ministry.
Answer the Call This Christmas Season
The Christmas season is a magical time when The Salvation Army’s mission to serve others is most visible throughout the community. From providing gifts through Angel Tree and Silver Bells to raising funds with Red Kettles and serving holiday meals, the impact of these programs reaches far and wide. Our Christmas season initiatives aren’t only for the struggling, the hungry, or the homeless. The Salvation Army works day-in and day-out to touch every life we come into contact with and to ensure that there is a place for everyone in God’s Army.
This Christmas, consider joining The Salvation Army in its mission to spread love, hope, and joy. Visit your local corps, sign up to volunteer, and take the first step toward answering the call to full-time ministry.
