Holiday Giving: Angel Tree and the Red Kettles
Support families in need by ringing a bell and donating Christmas gifts for kids across Olmsted County, MN.
Rochester (MN) Worship and Service Center Holiday Giving: Angel Tree and the Red Kettles Information
The Angel Tree Program
The Salvation Army provided Christmas gifts to just under 1,000 children in Olmsted County last year. Between high grocery prices, the government shut down, and a pause to SNAP benefits this year, we expect to see families in need of help this Christmas who have never come to us for gifts before. Your support providing Christmas gifts, especially for older children, make all the difference for families in our community experiencing difficult times.
There are several ways to donate gifts for kids in Olmsted County. One option is to select an angel tag from one of the Christmas trees in the Rochester, MN Walmart stores. Each tag will have an age range for a child registered to receive gifts from The Salvation Army. Once you've selected and purchased your gift, please bring it to the Walmart customer service desk, where our team will pick it up ahead of our gift distribution. You can also bring new, unopened gifts directly to The Salvation Army at 20 First Avenue NE, Rochester, MN 55906 between 8am and 4pm M-F. Or you can visit our online Walmart Registry. The gifts you purchase will be delivered directly to The Salvation Army in Rochester, MN, and placed on display for registered families during our gift distribution event on December 17 and 18, 2025.
We are always in search of volunteers willing to help families shop, to sort and re-stock the gift display, and to help us both set up and take down from this event. If you are 16 years of age or older, and have time available to you on December 16, 17, or 18 to help us with toy shop, please register for a volunteer shift here.
If you or someone you know is an Olmsted County resident in need of Christmas gifts for the children in your care, please visit saangeltree.org.
Red Kettles in Olmsted County, MN
The Salvation Army raises between one third and one half of all program income we need for the entire year in the six weeks before Christmas, and every bell ringer in Olmsted County, MN, is a volunteer. That means we rely heavily on the thousands of people who give of their time during the holiday season to support our neighbors.
Bell ringing is the most accessible volunteer opportunity we offer throughout the year, with volunteer hours running from 9am-7pm Monday-Saturday, and with no age limit for volunteers (so long as children 15 and younger are accompanied by a trusted adult). Ugly Christmas sweaters, music, and general holiday cheer are fully encouraged!
To volunteer to ring a bell with your family, friends, your business, your church, service group, or others, please visit registertoring.com or call our local office at 507-288-3663.
Your Impact
The Angel Tree Program and Red Kettle Campaign ensure that families have presents for their children on Christmas morning, and access to basic needs services like our food shelf, housing support, weather appropriate clothing, youth programs, and more all year round. In the last year, we've provided support to over 10,000 unduplicated individuals across Olmsted County, MN, and it's only because of generous supporters like you that all of these hope giving services are possible. If you have yet to register to ring a bell, to donate a Christmas gift, or to make a financial contribution to the red kettle campaign, please consider making a gift. Thank you for your kindness and compassion for our neighbors in need. God Bless You.
Stats
1000
The number of children we expect to receive a Christmas gift from The Salvation Army in 2025
$1,100,000
The goal for our 2025 Red Kettle Campaign
Show love all year long
While Christmas may be the season to shower those we love with gifts, it's also about giving to our neighbors in need. This holiday season, give a gift to help us continue providing vital services to those most in need.
Other Services
