Each year, The Salvation Army in Marathon County helps more than 400 families with gifts for their kids to open on Christmas morning. Through the generosity of the community we live in, we are able to help support all of these families.

The Salvation Army in Marathon County teams up with Toys for Tots to help fulfill the needs in our community.

Adopt-A Family

The Adopt-A-Family program gives businesses, groups, and individuals the opportunity to sponsor a family from our list and make their holiday extra special. When you adopt a family, you’ll receive details about their needs and wishes, then provide gifts and a food basket of your choice. You may choose to remain anonymous, or you’re welcome to deliver the items directly to the family.

How do you Adopt-A-Family?

Please contact Colleen Hilber at 715-845-4272 ext. 115 or email: colleen.hilber@usc.salvationarmy.org.

After you contact us, we will provide the necessary paperwork to determine your family size preference and how many families you would like to adopt. Once intake appointments are complete and families have been verified as eligible, we will send you all the information you need to begin your holiday shopping.

Angel Tree

Angel Trees are set up at various businesses throughout the community. Each tree is decorated with tags indicating a boy or girl, an age range, and suggested gift ideas. Anyone can select a tag from the tree to help make a child’s Christmas brighter.

The tags are not assigned to specific children. Parents shop in the Toy Shop, where they can choose gifts for their child(ren) from the available items. We rely on volunteers to help promote the program, keep the trees stocked with tags, and accept donated gifts.

Toy Shop

This program is created to support low-income families by helping provide children with a joyful and memorable Christmas. To qualify, families must have placement, custody, or guardianship of the children living in their home and reside in Marathon County.

Intake appointments typically begin in October and continue through mid-December. For the most current updates, please follow our Facebook or Instagram pages.

The first step toward receiving assistance is the intake process. Families will need to come in to register for Christmas assistance and must bring the following documentation:

• A form of ID for everyone in the household. This could be a driver's license, a social security card, a birth certificate, a medical ID card, or a school ID.
• One month's proof of income for everyone who receives income in the household
• A piece of mail with the current name and address. This can be a bill, a lease, junk mail, etc.
• Proper documentation will be needed if you have permanent or temporary custody, placement, or guardianship of a child that is not your own.

Did you miss the intake days? 

You are still able to sign up at our 202 Callon Street location Monday - Friday, from 8:30 am-1:00 pm. Just come in with all documentation, and we will be happy to get you on the list.

Once you have completed the intake, you will be given a date and time to come to the Toy Shop and shop for your children.