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Christmas
Each Christmas generous people in communities across the country partner with The Salvation Army to provide food, clothing, toys and hope to our neighbors who need a bit of help. Corporate cutbacks, relocating of industries, and the implementation of welfare reform have caused an increasing number of families to turn to The Salvation Army for assistance. The holidays would not be very pleasant for the children in these families except for the intervention of people who care.
Joy Shop
Families in need of Christmas assistance can apply in mid-November. Those with verified need then receive a Joy Shop appointment time. All donated toys are collected and displayed in our South Washington gym. Parents are then able to go through the Joy Shop to select gifts appropriate for their children's age and abilities. In 2005 the Joy Shop encouraged 1025 children in 278 families.
Angel Tree
Individuals and families can purchase gifts to be donated to the Joy Shop by picking an Angel Tag off one of the Angel Trees displayed in area department stores and business. Our Angel Tree Tags are marked with The Salvation Army logo. The unwrapped gifts are collected at The Salvation Army's South Washington facility for the Joy Shop.
Play Pen
For over 18 years, The Bismarck Tribune, Corrections and The Salvation Army has worked together to supplement the Joy Shop with quality used toys donated by the community. Good used toys and games can be donated to the Play Pen Project by dropping them off at our Play Pen bin located in the south Dan's Supermarket parking lot. These toys are then sorted, cleaned and repaired by correctional inmates and delivered to The Salvation Army Joy Shop for distribution. Last year the Play Pen collected, cleaned and distributed over 8,000 toys to kids in need!
Other Christmas Programs
In addition to the Joy Shop toys, we are also providing special Christmas food baskets to those individuals who are considered home bound due to disabilities, illness and the elderly who for one reason or another do not have the ability to get out for the holidays. Many volunteers from the local community have volunteered their time to deliver these gift baskets.
We are always in need of volunteers to help us during our busiest season. Please feel free to call Brenda Kriedeman at 667-9486 to set up your time to volunteer or for any questions you may have.
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