Angel Tree Toy Donations Needed Now

Every holiday season, countless families face the heartbreaking reality of being unable to provide gifts for their children. For many parents and legal guardians, Christmas becomes a time of worry instead of joy. Yet this same season offers a powerful opportunity for community members to step in, lift burdens, and spark hope—simply by purchasing a toy for a child in need.

But time is running out! The Angel Tree season is winding down and help is needed to make sure every angel receives something under the Christmas tree this year.

Convenient Purchase Options

Two of the most accessible and meaningful ways to give are through The Salvation Army Angel Trees that are often found in malls, churches, local stores, businesses, and online at the Walmart Angel Tree Gift Registry (https://www.salvationarmyusa.org/walmart-angel-tree/).

Physical Angel Trees allow a donor to select a tag from the branches and purchase gifts tailored to a specific child living in their neighborhood. This creates a personal connection between the giver and the recipient. Multiple gift suggestions are listed on each tag to help the donor make their selections and often include clothing and shoe sizes, the child’s favorite color, hobby, or a special item they would like to receive.

For those who prefer shopping online, or can’t get out to visit a store, Walmart’s online registry makes gift giving effortless and convenient. With a few clicks, donors can choose toys, clothing, and items that ship directly to a Salvation Army location of their choice, where they will be sorted and distributed to Angel Tree program recipients. While many online shoppers bless children who reside in the community in which they live, some people send gifts to the cities where they grew up, or areas that are burdened by poverty.

A Sense of Gratitude and Relief

Both of the Angel Tree options help struggling families across the country provide tens of thousands of children with Christmas gifts. Through the generosity of Walmart, a multitude of companies and businesses, community partners, and individuals, so many parents and legal guardians can breathe a little easier during the holidays. They don’t have to face the difficult decision of forgoing presents in order to cover basic expenses like rent, utility bills and food.

To someone who cannot afford Christmas gifts for their child, these donations are far more than toys. They are relief, dignity, and hope all wrapped in paper and ribbon. They are reminded that the community cares.

The Lasting Impact on Children

For children, receiving a Christmas gift from a generous stranger is magical, and it stays with them for a lifetime. It teaches them that kindness exists, and the world, even in difficult moments, can still be beautiful. Many adults who once received help as children recall those gifts and remember the feeling of being seen and valued. 

This experience often plants a seed of generosity. Children who are recipients of holiday giving frequently grow into adults who delight in giving back. Many Salvation Army officers talk about gifts they received through the Angel Tree program when they were young. Board members, employees and volunteers often share their stories, too.

Christmas, at its heart, is about hope, love, and giving with joy. These values transcend any particular faith or background. Every child deserves to feel special, remembered, and cared for during the holidays. A simple toy can communicate all of that and tell a child: You matter. You are loved. Your community wants good things for you.

Your generosity could be the moment that gives a child hope, a parent reassurance, and a family the chance to celebrate together. Christmas is around the corner, so please select a toy for a child in need today! It may seem like a small gesture, but to the families who receive it, it means everything. Visit The Salvation Army Central Territory to learn more about our mission and ways you can help.