Christmas Programs
Central Ohio Area Services Christmas Programs Information
Angel Tree
The Angel Tree Program makes it easy to bring holiday joy to children in need right here in Central Ohio. By selecting an "angel" tag from an Angel Tree, you can provide a local child with meaningful, personalized gifts this Christmas. Each tag shares a child’s age, gender, and holiday gift wishes, offering a simple way to make a direct and lasting impact.
Last year, thanks to generous donors, The Salvation Army's Angel Tree program provided over 32,000 toys in Central Ohio, allowing thousands of local children to experience the joy of opening a gift on Christmas morning—and with your help, we hope to reach even more this year.
How you can get involved
Below are simple ways to participate in the Angel Tree Program:
- Shop Online Through Our Virtual Angel Tree: Use our online registry with Amazon or Walmart to shop from anywhere. Gifts will be sent directly to our offices for distribution. Our Virtual Angel Tree will reopen in fall 2026, offering an easy way to shop from anywhere and support children and families across Central Ohio.
- Donate Monetarily: For those who prefer, a financial contribution is a powerful way to support the program. Donations help us purchase gifts and meet the specific holiday needs of children and families.
More information about the 2026 Angel Tree season, including participation details and shopping opportunities, will be available soon. Please check back for updates.
A Box of Hope for Central Ohio Families
The Salvation Army in Central Ohio is proud to bring the spirit of Christmas directly to families in need with the Red Box Program. For just $75, you can provide a family with everything they need for a memorable holiday meal, including:
- A delicious Christmas breakfast.
- A traditional turkey dinner with all the trimmings.
- A family game to enjoy together.
While our boxes may now be white to conserve costs, the compassion and joy they bring remain unchanged.
Our impact
Last year, more than 6,400 families across Central Ohio received a Red Box filled with meals, holiday essentials, and joy. Because of generous community support, thousands of children and families were able to gather around the table and celebrate Christmas together.
How you can help
Supporting the Red Box Program is a meaningful way to help bring hope, nourishment, and holiday joy to local families during the Christmas season.
Additional details about the 2026 Red Box Program, including giving opportunities and ways to participate, will be available soon. Please check back for updates.
Your support does more than provide food—it helps create moments of comfort, togetherness, and hope for families across Central Ohio during the holiday season.
Christmas Cheer Program
Please note: Sign-ups for 2026 Christmas Assistance will start in October 2026.
The Christmas season brings hope, joy, and togetherness. For families in need, The Salvation Army in Central Ohio offers support through our annual Christmas Cheer Program, providing toys for children (14 and under) and hearty food boxes to make the season brighter. This service is available to families across Franklin County.
Program details
Our Christmas Cheer Program provides:
- Toys for children aged 14 and under
- Food boxes with items to help you celebrate with a hearty holiday meal
Note: Distribution of toys and food boxes will take place during the week before Christmas.
Christmas Cheer registration - coming soon
Registration for The Salvation Army’s Christmas Cheer program is not open yet. Information for the 2026 season will be available soon.
Christmas Cheer registration will open in fall 2026 at multiple locations across Columbus. Dates, times, and participating locations will be posted here as soon as they are confirmed.
No appointment will be necessary. Once registration opens, families may visit any listed registration site during scheduled hours to complete registration.
Required Documents
Please plan to bring the following when registration opens:
- Picture Identification for the head of household (e.g., driver’s license, state ID, employee ID).
- Proof of Dependents for all household members, including birth dates (e.g., birth certificates, shot records, Job and Family Services printout).
Electronic documents are accepted.
Social Security cards or Social Security numbers are not required.
A full list of registration locations, dates, and hours will be posted here once available. Please check back for updates.
The Salvation Army East Main Worship and Service Center
Address: 966 East Main Street, Columbus, OH 43205
Phone: 614-437-2153
Dates & Times for 2026 coming soon
The Salvation Army Hilltop Worship and Service Center
Address: 2300 West Mound Street, Columbus, OH 43204
Phone: 614-274-7600 ext. 201
Dates & Times for 2026 coming soon
The Salvation Army Citadel Worship and Service Center
Address: 3662 Karl Road, Columbus, OH 43224
Phone: 614-262-8450 ext. 205
Dates & Times for 2026 coming soon
The Salvation Army/Stowe Mission Center
Address: 888 Parsons Avenue, Columbus, OH 43206
Phone: 614-449-8066
Dates & Times for 2026 coming soon
The Salvation Army Chapel at Worthington Woods
Address: 760 Worthington Woods Blvd., Columbus, OH 43081
Phone: 614-846-1884 ext. 10
Dates & Times for 2026 coming soon
Join the Red Kettle Tradition
The Salvation Army’s Red Kettle Campaign is more than a fundraiser—it’s a tradition of hope across Central Ohio. Every donation, volunteer hour, and act of generosity helps support neighbors in need throughout the year.
When you support the Red Kettle Campaign, you help provide food, emergency assistance, holiday support, youth programs, and pathways to long-term stability for individuals and families across our community.
Volunteer to Ring the Bell
Each holiday season, volunteers help bring the Red Kettle Campaign to life across Central Ohio. From ringing bells at kettles to supporting local fundraising efforts, there are many ways to get involved and make a difference.
Individuals, families, businesses, churches, schools, and community groups are all welcome to participate.
Bell ringing volunteer opportunities for the 2026 Red Kettle season will be announced soon. Please check back for updates and ways to get involved.
Host a Virtual Red Kettle
Support the campaign from anywhere by creating your Virtual Red Kettle this holiday season. It’s an easy, impactful way to raise funds online while helping local families and individuals across Central Ohio. Share your kettle with friends, family, coworkers, or your community and invite others to join you in making a difference.
Whether you’re participating as an individual, family, business, church, or community group, every dollar raised helps provide hope and practical support throughout the year.
Virtual Red Kettle fundraising opportunities for the 2026 season will be available soon. Please check back for updates and details on how to create your own kettle.
Donate to the Red Kettle Campaign
Your gift goes directly toward helping those in need—365 days a year. Every dollar provides vital services like:
- Meals for individuals and families facing hunger.
- Emergency assistance during times of crises.
- Holiday support for children and families.
- Pathways to a brighter future through job training and youth programs.
During the holiday season, donations can be made at Red Kettles throughout Central Ohio or online in support of the campaign.
Additional giving opportunities for the 2026 Red Kettle season will be available soon. Please check back for updates.
For more information, please contact us at CentralOhioKettles@use.SalvationArmy.org.
Stats
32,408
Gifts were given to bring Christmas joy in 2025.
17,410
Individuals were provided with Christmas assistance last year.
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