Learn more about what The Salvation Army does and how you can help during the holidays

 

Adopt-A-Family

The Adopt-A-Family program matches families with individuals or group sponsors to provide for their tangible needs at Christmas. The families who are adopted for Christmas are referred by local organizations that identify families in need of relief from a personal crisis or emergency. Without the benefit of an adoption, these families would be looking forward to a very grim holiday.

Families are matched by the size that can be provided for, from a small family of 2-4 people, a medium family of 5-6 people, or even a large family of 7-10 people.

For more information on how you can sponsor a family, contact Major Jennifer Erickson-King at Jennifer.Erickson-King@usw.salvationarmy.org or by calling (907) 375-3583. 

Angel Tree

Angel Tree is a holiday assistance program in which an individual sponsor or group sponsor purchases new clothing and toys for deserving children (or “Angels”) in need that will be receiving gifts that will be disbursed at our annual Neighborhood GIFT event.

Last year, The Salvation Army, with the help of numerous generous sponsors, provided holiday gifts for more than 3,000 families in the Anchorage area. For many of our registered children, the gifts they receive through the Angel Tree Program will be the only ones they open on Christmas morning.

For more information about Angel Tree, contact Donna Bagley at donna.bagley@usw.salvationarmy.org or call 907-339-3488.

Anchorage GIFT

The Anchorage Neighborhood GIFT is an event that provides toys for children (up to age 14) to support families who need assistance during the holiday season. You can help provide gifts for this event by purchasing gifts on the Anchorage digital Angel Tree list or contacting Donna Bagley at donna.bagley@usw.salvationarmy.org to arrange Angel Tree participation or a gift donation drop off.

View more information about the event, including registration dates here.

To help us continue to Love Beyond Christmas, you can start your own Fundraise for Good donation drive online. Funds raised will help Alaskans in the most need when the emergency arises. 

Bell Ringing!

The Salvation Army collects donations at our iconic red kettles in 19 Alaskan communities during the holiday season from Thanksgiving to Christmas Eve by way of volunteer bell ringers. We depend on the donations received at our red kettles during this time to help keep our Corps programs operating year-round to help community members in need.

To sign-up to volunteer as a bell ringer, contact your local Salvation Army Corps Community Center, call (907) 276-2515 or visit https://volunteer.usawest.org/Home.aspx to find contact information for your community.

Operation Santa

For over 50 years, The Salvation Army, along with the National Guard and many other supporters, has helped share the joy of the holiday season with thousands of children in rural Alaska. Normally the event is celebrated with the whole community; Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus hand out gifts to local children, Christmas carols are sung and tasty treats shared.

For more information about this year's event, contact Service Extension & Disaster Services Director Jenni Ragland at jenni.ragland@usw.salvationarmy.org. 

Thanksgiving Meal Delivery

Through the Salvation Army Older Alaskans Program, Thanksgiving meals are served to seniors and people with disabilities in need enrolled in the meal delivery program in addition to anyone in need wanting a meal on Thanksgiving Day.

For more information about volunteering for Thanksgiving meal preparation and/or delivery contact (907) 276-2515, or receiving a Thanksgiving Day meal, contact Older Alaskans Program at (907) 349-0613.