Fair, 54°
Weather sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

The Salvation Army of NE  Florida, Walmart create opportunities to help “Rescue Christmas” this holiday season

Clay Today
Posted 11/5/20

CLAY COUNTY – To help meet the unprecedented level of need this holiday season, Walmart and The Salvation Army of Northeast Florida are working together to make it even easier for …

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Please log in to continue

Log in

Don't have an ID?


Print subscribers

If you're a print subscriber, but do not yet have an online account, click here to create one.

Non-subscribers

Click here to see your options for subscribing.

Single day pass

You also have the option of purchasing 24 hours of access, for $1.00. Click here to purchase a single day pass.

The Salvation Army of NE  Florida, Walmart create opportunities to help “Rescue Christmas” this holiday season


Posted

CLAY COUNTY – To help meet the unprecedented level of need this holiday season, Walmart and The Salvation Army of Northeast Florida are working together to make it even easier for people to help others this Christmas. Building upon a 40-year relationship of supporting people in need during the holiday season, Walmart and The Salvation Army are bringing hope and joy to families through the expansion of programs like Angel Tree and Red Kettles, which will be out earlier, and, for the first time ever, round-up donations to The Salvation Army in-store and online.

The economic fallout of the ongoing health crisis has led to a new population of families and individuals facing unemployment and financial hardships that are expected to last through the holidays and well into the coming year. A recent study by Columbia University showed that nearly eight million Americans have fallen into poverty since May. In Jacksonville, we provided 2,300 children last year with Christmas assistance. If we see the same level of increased requests for service, that would mean 4,000 children who need our help this holiday season. With that in mind, both organizations are making it easier for customers to give to those in need this Christmas.

“This year will be unlike any other that we have seen in the past 130 years. This holiday season we anticipate a dramatic increase in need due to COVID-19. We are extremely grateful for Walmart’s partnership and support to help The Salvation Army continue its mission of serving the needs in our community,” said Area Commander, Major Keath Biggers.

In most Walmart stores across Northeast Florida, the expanded partnership includes:

  • Starting Nov. 2, Walmart will offer customers the option to round up their purchases to the nearest dollar and donate the difference to The Salvation Army. Customers can do this in stores at manned cash registers, on Walmart.com or through the Walmart app. The option to donate will run through Dec. 31.
  • The Salvation Army’s Red Kettles and iconic bell ringers will be at participating Walmart stores even earlier this year, starting on Saturday, Nov. 21. The Salvation Army is adopting nationally mandated safety protocols for physical kettles to help ensure the safety of bell ringers, donors and partners.
  • Salvation Army Angel Trees will appear in participating Walmart stores, giving local shoppers the opportunity to select a child or children from the tree and to purchase or drop off gifts onsite.
  • Those who prefer to do their shopping online can visit http://bit.ly/angeltreeregistry,. Through the site, customers can shop for gifts and have them delivered directly to the Jacksonville local Salvation Army.
  • Celebrities like DJ Khaled have taken up the #RescueChristmas Challenge, encouraging others to adopt an angel from The Salvation Army Angel Tree program in their hometown.
  • To help offset the possible decrease in funds for the Red Kettle Campaign, The Salvation Army in Jacksonville will host a telethon hosted by CBS47 and Fox 30 on Dec. 3. 
  • To help increase excitement and awareness for the Red Kettle Campaign, The Salvation Army will hold a Kettle Kickoff on Thursday, Nov. 19 from noon to 12:30pm at Publix on Roosevelt.

Visit salvationarmynefl.org to donate or learn more about how you can help The Salvation Army rescue Christmas this year. Every donation provides help and hope to the most vulnerable, and all gifts stay within the community in which they are given.