In an effort to meet unprecedented levels of need in our community this holiday season, Walmart, Belk, and The Salvation Army of Savannah (TSA) are working together to make it easier for people to help others this Christmas.
The organizations will work to offer greater assistance to area families through the expansion of programs like Angel Tree and Red Kettles, which will be out earlier, and, for the first time ever, invite people to round-up donations to The Salvation Army in-store and online.
“Our community has been greatly impacted due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and this need is sure to increase further during the holiday season,” said The Salvation Army of Savannah’s Major Paul Egan. “We are beyond grateful for the support of Walmart and Belk for answering the call to Rescue Christmas and help provide for the most vulnerable people in our community.”
Walmart and TSA are making it easier for customers to give to those in need this Christmas.
In most Walmart stores across Savannah, the expanded partnership includes:
• Starting November 21, Walmart will offer customers the option to round up their purchases to the nearest dollar and donate the difference to The Salvation Army. Customers can do this in stores at manned cash registers or online through December 31.
• The Salvation Army’s Red Kettles and iconic bell ringers will be at participating Walmart stores earlier than usual this year, starting on Saturday, November 21. The Salvation Army is adopting nationally mandated safety protocols for physical kettles to help ensure the safety of bell ringers, donors and partners. Bell ringers will also be at select Sam’s Clubs across Savannah.
• Salvation Army Angel Trees will appear in participating Walmart stores, giving local shoppers the opportunity to select a child or children from the tree and to purchase or drop off gifts onsite.
• The Salvation Army is also partnering with Walmart for an Angel Tree Registry. Those who prefer to do their shopping online can visit www.bit.ly/TSAWalmartRegistry. A gift through this registry will bring joy to a local child and help TSA Rescue Christmas. Toys purchased through this site are given to those angels who have not been adopted.
Belk has also been a partner of The Salvation Army of Savannah for over 10 years. Belk will be hosting Red Kettle bell ringers in front of their Oglethorpe Mall location starting November 19 for shoppers to participate in Rescuing Christmas. Shoppers can donate to the red kettles through Apple and Google Pay using their phone for a secure and easy payment option.
Belk will be hosting several volunteer groups at their bell ringing location – the U.S. Marine Corps League, 13th Colony Sound, Savannah Scottish Rite and Angels of Mercy, a volunteer group with St. Joseph’s Candler.
TSA needs volunteers to ring the kettles at partner locations during the holiday season. A volunteer bell ringer raises more donations on average, but less than 10% of bell ringers are volunteers. One hour of bell ringing can provide a meal for a family of four, and an entire day of ringing (8 hours) can provide lodging for a family of four for one month. Flexible volunteer opportunities are available for scheduling at
www.registertoring.com.
Donations to Rescue Christmas are also welcomed via the online donation platform at
www.RedKettleSAV.givesmart.com or by texting “RedKettleSAV” to 76278. Every donation provides help and hope to the most vulnerable, and all gifts stay within the greater Savannah community.
The Salvation Army has served greater Savannah for the past 120 years supporting the most vulnerable.