Will you help us to Rescue Christmas for families in need this year?

With more families facing hardship this year, the need to serve those most vulnerable is greater than ever before. Each year, The Salvation Army provides food and toy assistance to more than 4 million people across the country. To help meet the increased need this year, we are making it safer and simpler than ever for people to donate toys and funds to The Salvation Army

Make a donation Volunteer your time

How you can help

The Red Kettle Fundraiser has been a Californian tradition for 129 years and the pandemic has severely limited it while massively magnifying the dire need for food and joy. Help us #RESCUECHRISTMAS by participating in one of these new traditions.

Join the DoGooder’s Club

Become a Salvation Army Kroc Center DoGooder

Give a one-time donation or join the DoGooder’s Club and set up a monthly donation to support Christmas and Social Services all year long. Click on the following link or set it up in your bill pay.

Donate today

Start e-fundraising

Encourage your Friend’s to #RESCUECHRISTMAS through Facebook or email.

You can set up a Facebook Fundraiser for your friends to contribute or a digital kettle link to share by email. Did you know you can do a Birthday Fundraiser for us through Facebook?

e-fundraising info

Volunteer to Ring the Bell

Volunteer to Ring the Bell!

The Salvation Army's Red Kettles are a part of American popular culture and when our bells ring, they signal that Christmas is near.
The Salvation Army is able to help struggling individuals, families, and communities thanks to our Red Kettle volunteers. The need for a bright Christmas will be great, but we are committed to being a source of help and hope for all who seek us. The funds raised at each kettle location will stay in the community to provide much needed support.

National bell ringer safety protocol

General Guidelines:

Before reporting for a shift, bell ringers will be provided a national training video that includes how to safely perform their duties and engage with the public in a COVID environment.
Bell ringers will be instructed to follow CDC and local guidelines related to exposure and not to present for any activity if exhibiting symptoms or if they have had any known exposure to anyone with COVID-19 in the last 14 days.
Bell ringers will be provided masks and instructed to follow state and local safety protocols.
As an individual approaches the kettle, bell ringers will be trained to maintain social distancing.
Bell ringers will be instructed to have no physical contact with donations or individuals.
All kettle equipment will be cleaned prior to use in accordance with guidelines.
Kettles and/or kettle signs are enabled with Apple/Google Pay technology for an additional contactless form of donation.
As previously stated, The Salvation Army will follow all state and local safety protocols and will take into consideration any additional safety measures your company recommends.

Volunteer to be a bell ringer

Host a Toy or Food Drive

With your help, we can Rescue Christmas for families with nowhere else to turn. Here are a couple of easy ways to provide people in need with toys and food both in-person and virtually. Bring your network together to collect nonperishable and canned foods and new toys in person or send out the link to our online Toy and Food Drive through are Amazon and Walmart Wish Lists.

For more information on hosting a Toy or Food Drive please contact: Pamela.George@usw.salvationarmy.org

Amazon Wish List Walmart Wish Lists

Collect new toys from your family, friends, church and/or co-workers in a way that fits your schedule.

Simply publicize your drive and collect the items, and we’ll pick them up for you. You’ll definitely have a more meaningful Christmas knowing you’ve helped bring joy to the hearts of those who are often overlooked during the holidays.
We can provide collection bins, toy suggestions based on ages, and customizable poster templates. If there are additional resources you need, please reach out and we will gladly help.
Please make sure the gifts are new and unwrapped as we would like to give the parents the opportunity to do this for their child.

Collect non-perishable and canned foods that will help provide a warm, delicious holiday meal for struggling families.

The Salvation Army will incorporate the food into boxes for families and individuals experiencing food insecurity. Each food box is designed to feed a family of four for a week.
We can provide collection bins, suggested food lists, and customizable poster templates. If there are additional resources you need, please reach out and we will gladly help.

Adopt a Family

Individuals and Groups can adopt a family and collect toys, clothing, household items, and gift-cards for the whole family. Family can be sized to your requested monetary commitment level. The families selected for this program are those in most dire straits for this once in a lifetime opportunity. The following year the children are re-eligible for Christmas Toys.

Call 619.269.1428 to Adopt a family

Host an Angel Tree

Host an Angel Tree!

Give out Angel Wish Tags, with suggested toy wishes, by displaying them on a tree, billboard, or having them available to pick up.
Our Angel Tree program offers corporate partners and local businesses an opportunity to engage their customers and employees in providing new, unwrapped toys for children who would otherwise go without on Christmas morning. This year we know COVID-19 may be affecting your operations so we are offering our Angel Tree program either in-person or virtually. Will you help us to Rescue Christmas for families in need this year?

For more information on hosting an Angel Tree please contact: Pamela.George@usw.salvationarmy.org

How does it work?

Children who receive Angel Tree gifts are from families who have applied for Christmas assistance.

The Salvation Army screens each family (participation is need-based) and prepares a list of toys and clothing the children want.
Individuals, companies and groups sign-up to participate in the program by adopting Angels or hosting trees.
The Salvation Army staff assigns ‘Angels’ to each sponsor and will mail you ‘Angel Tags.’ Each tag has information about the Angel (child’s first name, gender, age, and gift wish) and is ready to be hung on your Christmas tree.
The fun begins! Sponsors shop for the Angels.
Please make sure all gifts are gifts are new and unwrapped so we can give the parents the opportunity to do this for their child.
Collect all the gifts from your employees/customers and coordinate a date with us when our drivers can come pick-up the toys.

Thank you for your generous support, so we can continue to meet the increasing needs of our communities

Make a donation Learn more about The Salvation Army