Holiday Giving
Offering assistance during the holiday season through programs and ringing the bell at kettles.
Lancaster, Ohio Corps Holiday Giving Information
Holiday Assistance for Lancaster OH Corps-
Adopt-A-Family
Each year, the Adopt-a-Family program provides Christmas joy and hope to hundreds of families throughout Fairfield County. Families in need in Fairfield County can be referred by local Salvation Army facilities, by local agencies and schools, by friends or family members, or even self-referred by submitting a Christmas Cheer application.
Families and seniors that apply for participate in the program are paired with kind-hearted sponsors who purchase and wrap gifts and drop them off at our distribution facility. From there, our volunteers will coordinate with the receiving family.
This is a great way to bring an extended family together to focus on giving back during the holidays. Recruit your siblings, cousins, friends or even coworkers to adopt a family and bring joy to those who need support this Christmas!
Angel Tree
Each year, thousands of toys, books and new clothes are distributed via the annual Salvation Army Angel Tree. Children's wish lists – along with gender and age – are posted on tags at various locations throughout Fairfield County. Then, individuals, families and groups can select a tag – or tags – and purchase the listed items for the child to receive on Christmas morning.
Angel Trees are available at businesses across the county, and specific locations will be posted closer to Christmas. If you’d like to fulfill a wish but cannot visit an Angel Tree location, please contact us and we can pair you with a wish list over the phone.
Once you gather items on the wish list, you can bring it to our distribution center where volunteers wrap gifts and coordinate with the receiving families. We’d prefer that you don’t wrap your gifts, but please feel free to include a roll or two of wrapping paper with your gifts if you’d like. More specific instructions will be included on your wish tag.
The Angel Tree program is a great philanthropic activity for the entire family, regardless of budget! Get the entire family involved by letting your children weigh in on which tag to select, and then shop together for the items on the wish list. If you select a wish list with more expensive items, recruit extended family, friends or coworkers to bring the child’s wish to life Christmas morning.
Christmas Cheer
We understand that making ends meet can be challenging some years. We also understand that children don’t understand the financial burdens that adults sometimes face – and we don’t want them to! We’d like to give you peace of mind by helping provide a Christmas of joy and hope for your family.
If you live in Fairfield County (Ohio) and could use some support this holiday season, please apply for assistance through our Christmas Cheer program. NOTE: Applications for the 2025 season are concluded.
Here’s how the program works:
- Eligibility: You must reside in Fairfield County, Ohio. No financial documentation is necessary, as we strive to withhold our mission of “Supporting those in need in His name without discrimination.” Please bring documentation showing that you reside in Fairfield County when applying.
- Application: You must complete an application and interview with our staff. Please bring a photo ID for all adults; birth certificates for children under age 18.
- Selection: You will be notified via mail at the address you provided to let you know if you have been selected to participate in the Christmas Cheer program.
- Next Steps: Your next steps will depend on which program you were selected for (Adopt-a-Family, Angel Tree or Holiday Gift Basket); step-by-step directions will be included in your selection letter.
- Coordination: As the holiday gets closer, you will be contacted regarding action necessary to coordinate the pick-up of your items.
If you are in need of assistance this holiday season, please don’t hesitate to reach out! The Salvation Army of Fairfield County strives to help all Fairfield County residents in need provide a joyful Christmas to their families.
Red Kettles for Lancaster OH Corps
There are several ways you can help!
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RING THE BELL: Ringing the bell - even for a single two-hour shift - is so helpful! You can sign up for one shift, or as many as you want! Shifts are available in two-hour increments at all of our Red Kettle locations. Click here to register to ring at a location this season!
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GATHER TO ADOPT A KETTLE: Groups of volunteers are needed to “adopt” a kettle location for a day (or longer) by organizing a group of friends, family or coworkers to ring the bell for the day. Most locations run from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily, Monday through Saturday.
- SPONSOR A RED KETTLE: This corporate sponsorship opportunity is a great way for local businesses and organizations to make a big impact in Fairfield County. You can sponsor the kettle financially, or staff the kettle, and a sign with your company logo will be placed at the kettle during the duration of your sponsorship.
Red kettle volunteers are encouraged to be creative and have fun: sing, play an instrument, share a special talent, include your children, or bring a pet – those are all popular ways to make it fun, and increase donations, too! (Please Note: Bell-ringer volunteers must be 16 years of age or older, unless accompanied by an adult.)
For questions, please contact Captain Alex Senak at 740-205-6078 or alex.senak@use.salvationarmy.org.
Stats
2,302,771
Individuals and families who received Holiday Assistance in 2024
1,000,000+
children received Christmas through our Angel Tree program last year, who might not receive gifts otherwise
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
