Help Us Make Christmas Brighter this Year

Help Make Spirits Brighter this Winter by “Giving with Joy”

Make Christmas Morning Bright: 

We are SO GRATEFUL to have SERRA TRAVERSE CITY as one of our Holiday Food Basket Sponsors for 2025! They have been an incredible community partner of ours, and we are thankful for their support in providing holiday food baskets for our local families in need!

The Salvation Army’s Holiday Assistance Toy Shop exists to ensure that these children have a wonderful holiday season with their families. Children 12 and under receive gifts through generous donations and our partnership with Toys for Tots. You can help spread the joy by purchasing non-toy items from our Christmas Wishes list, supporting Toys for Tots, or conveniently shop online at  Walmart Angel Tree Christmas Registry 

Adopt a Teen:  

UPDATE: ANGELS STILL NEEDED! Our Teen Angel program ensures that teens are not left out of the joys of the holidays. We invite you as a group, business, family, or individual to join us in spreading the joy of the season by becoming a Teen Angel! Together, we can ensure that teens, 13-17 years of age, are not overlooked this holiday season. We know that it is tough to buy for teens; however, through the Teen Angel program, families provide a wish list, sizes, favorite colors, and other personal information to make gift buying fun and rewarding. Click here for a Teen Angel Online Application. Please contact Sue Brown at 231-649-2752 or email  sue.brown@usc.salvationarmy.org for more information. Teen Angel financial donations accepted here, gift cards are also gratefully accepted in increments of $25. 

Register To Bell Ring:

Share the joy of the seasons by volunteering to bell ring as an individual, family, or group! All funds raised stay local to provide local programs to our neighbors in need. Register to ring and make Christmas bright and bring hope in 2024. Check out the Top 10 reasons to Bell Ring!

Register to Ring online at Register to Ring or contact Volunteer Director, Mary Vollink at 231-946-4644 ext. 303 or by email.


Special Bell Ringing Days:
Realtor Ring Day - Friday, December 5
We hope you will consider participating during Realtor Ring Day and encourage your fellow Real Estate offices and partners to participate and even challenge them to a friendly competition. Or join the Red Kettle efforts another day or in other ways, individually or as a team, throughout the holiday season.  Contact Mary Vollink for additional information and available locations. 

Church Bells Ring - Friday and Saturday, December 12 and 13

"Doing the Most Good" - in these four words is our undertaking - to feed, to clothe, to comfort, and to care; to rebuild broken homes and broken lives. By walking with the addicted, we can lead them to recovery. In fighting hunger and poverty, we can feed and nurture the spirit. In helping families take the first step out of poverty, we can lead them and future generations out of the darkness of crisis. By exploring and providing new experiences for youth, we can grow confident leaders of tomorrow. And, in living and sharing the Christian Gospel by meeting tangible and human needs, we give the world a lasting display of the love behind our beliefs. Contact Mary at 231-946-4644 ext. 303. 
 

Host a Toy/Gift/Winter Accessories Drive:

Each year, The Salvation Army has more toys and gift requests than we can handle on our own. We need generous partners like you to help us provide thousands of toys, gifts, socks, and winter accessories to children and adults. If you or your group would like to host a toy, gift, sock, or other kind of donation drive for The Salvation Army, please contact Mary Vollink at 231-946-4644 ext. 303 or email mary.vollink@usc.salvationarmy.org.

Host a food and hygiene drive:

The need for food and hygiene items is continual throughout the holidays and the year. Feeding hunger goes beyond food; it is the fuel needed to nourish the body, mind, and soul. Hygiene items provide not only good health but also promote confidence and self-dignity. Click here for a most-needed non-perishable food and hygiene flyer.

Sponsor a Food Basket:

One of the most wonderful times of the holidays is gathering around the table with loved ones for a festive holiday dinner. All families registering for holiday assistance have the opportunity to sign up for a Thanksgiving or Christmas Food Basket with all the fixings. You can help gather families around the table in celebration by sponsoring a food basket with a $40 donation.  Donations can be mailed to: The Salvation Army Traverse City, PO Box 5228, Traverse City, MI 49696. Please mark Holiday Food Baskets in the memo line.   

Volunteer:

The Salvation Army could not fulfill its mission as effectively without the assistance of dedicated volunteers who share their skills and time to enhance our programs. We have one-time, short-term, and long-term opportunities for individuals and groups. Volunteers are needed to sort, organize, and distribute toys, assist with the preparation and distribution of holiday Thanksgiving and Christmas Food Baskets, Bell Ringing, and administrative and guest relations throughout the holidays. Click here for volunteer opportunities. Contact the Volunteer Director, Mary Vollink, to sign up at Mary.Vollink@usc.salvationarmy.org or call 231-946-4644.

Make A Financial Donation:

Your financial donation to our Red Kettle and Holiday campaigns is a priceless gift of hope to our vulnerable neighbors in their time of need!
Donate at a Red Kettle 
Donate to our Virtual Red Kettle securely online - click here
Donate by Mail: The Salvation Army, PO Box 5228, Traverse City, MI 49696
Donate in person: The Salvation Army, 1239 Barlow St. Traverse City, MI 49686
 

Do you know someone who needs assistance: 

Click here to find out more about Holiday Assistance Registration or to help spread the word.