Everyone recognizes the red kettles outside many of the grocery stores and shopping malls in the DFW area.
The Salvation Army‘s work in Texas dates all the way back to 1889. This Christian-based charity serves people in need of all ages, races & backgrounds. From veterans to the homeless to addicts to senior citizens – this organization has been doing good in our local communities for many, many years.
One of the primary groups The Salvation Army serves – especially during the Christmas season – are children and youth, but they can’t do all they do without the help of their generous donors and volunteers. Whether you donate your time as a volunteer (bell ringer anyone?), donate money or adopt an angel from The Salvation Army’s Angel Tree, you can rest assured you’re taking an active part in this season of giving.
Whether we want to admit it or not, we all know that our children learn most of what they know from watching us and not from the things we tell them. Can you think of a better way to instill generosity and a loving and giving heart in your children than to exemplify it yourself? I can’t.
In addition to The Salvation Army’s Angel Tree, there are many other ways for you to partake in this season of giving.
- The Nordstrom Giving Tree – You’ll find the Giving Tree with nearly 12,000 tags in Nordstrom stores across the country. Each tag can be purchased for only $20 and represents a child who will receive a brand new pair of New Balance tennis shoes. And get this, Nordstrom will cover the cost of any unsold tags as well as the cost to ship the shoes to schools. The tags will be available for purchase until Christmas Eve, so even the holiday shopping procrastinators have an opportunity to give back!
- Prison Fellowship’s Angel Tree Program – although the Prison Fellowship program is nationwide and year-round, they specifically target children during the holidays by providing a Christmas gift, sharing of the Gospel as well as a special message from the incarcerated parent to the child(ren). If you’re looking for a cost effective way to give back, this is it. For only $12.25 you can support two prisoners’ children.
- Communities in Schools Dallas Region (CISDR) Adopt an Angel Program – this program provides a way for individuals, local businesses, corporations and community organizations to support children in need. By either adopting an angel online or simply donating money, you can help them reach their goal to share the season of giving with over 1500 children in need in the Dallas region alone.
- Dallas Children’s Advocacy Center Adopt-A-Child and Toy Drive – Since 1991, the DCAC’s mission has been to improve the lives of abused children in Dallas County. They even go so far as to coordinate the investigation and prosecution of the most severe cases of child abuse throughout our community. They are actively accepting donations and are in need of clothing and toys.
- Many wonderful colleges and churches have their own Angel Trees and Toy Drives as well.
Did we miss an angel tree? Leave a comment below and let us know where you’ve seen an angel tree so we can make this a resource for future holiday seasons!
What is your family’s favorite way to participate in the Season of Giving?
