Volunteers Needed for Holiday Season
The Salvation Army is gearing up for another big Christmas season, but we can't fill the needs of the community without YOUR HELP!
Here's a list of opportunities you, your family or your organization can help to support your community this Thanksgiving and Christmas Season:
ANGEL TREE APPLICATION ENTRIES: Each year The Salvation Army assists over 800 families in our four-county area with gifts for their children through the Angel Tree program. We need volunteers to help enter their applications into the computer. Volunteers have the opportunity to meet the families during this process. Bilingual volunteers encouraged.
WHEN: Oct. 17-19
WHERE: The Salvation Army at 301 N. 6th St, Fort Smith
HOW YOU CAN HELP: Enter data from applications into the computer from 9a-noon and/or 1p-4p during one or all of these three days. Contact Jeanne Carroll to schedule volunteer times at 479-474-3916 or Jeanne.volunteer@gmail.com.
COATS FOR KIDS: Drop off children’s or adults’ used or new coats at Mr. Rob’s Cleaners during October. Donated gloves, hats, and scarves will also be accepted. Mr. Rob’s Cleaners will clean the coats then the Salvation Army will begin distributing Coats for Kids vouchers November 1st thru March 31st for families in need.
WHEN: Drop off coats October 1-31
WHERE: Any Mr. Rob's Cleaners location
CANNED FOOD DRIVE: Each year, schools in Fort Smith and surrounding areas participate in The Salvation Army Canned Food Drive. These donations allow The Salvation Army to meet the needs of local families year round.
WHEN: November 1-10
WHERE: Most area schools
HOW YOU CAN HELP: Send canned food items with your child to school, or bring your donations directly to The Salvation Army at 301 N. 6th, Fort Smith. We'll also need help sorting the food for boxes to be given to families for the holidays. Contact Jeanne Carroll to schedule times to help sort at 479-474-3916 or Jeanne.volunteer@gmail.com.
COMMUNITY THANKSGIVING MEAL: Every year volunteers help donate/cook food and serve a community Thanksgiving Meal in our Red Shield Diner. It's a great way for families to volunteer together.
WHEN: Nov. 23, 11a-1p (volunteers show up as early as 9a)
WHERE: Red Shield Diner at 301 N. 6th, Fort Smith
HOW YOU CAN HELP: Contact Jeanne Carroll at 479-474-3916 or Jeanne.volunteer@gmail.com to sign up to volunteer. Contact Acie Turner at 479-420-7760 or Acie.Turner@uss.salvationarmy.org to arrange for donated food items like pies/desserts, turkeys, hams, vegetables, butter, rolls, drinks, etc.
ANGEL TREE PROGRAM: You can find our Angel Tree inside of Central Mall again this year in the Sears wing. We have about 800 families to provide children's gifts for in a four-county area so your help in purchasing gifts is greatly appreciated. After Dec. 20-21 we'll also need help organizing donations for families to pick up their gifts.
WHEN: Nov. 6-Dec. 11, Dec. 20-21
WHERE: Central Mall
HOW YOU CAN HELP: Pick up angels to purchase gifts for from the Central Mall Angel Tree. Return purchased, unwrapped gifts the Salvation Army at 301 N. 6th street downtown anytime Mon-Sat from 8:00 am- 6:00 pm by Dec. 11.
BELL RINGING: We're always looking for individuals and groups to ring bells during the holiday season. This is The Salvation Army's largest fundraiser of the year, supporting most of their programs in our local community.
WHEN: Nov. 13-Dec. 23
WHERE: Various retail locations throughout the area
HOW YOU CAN HELP: Contact Dennis Westfall at the Salvation Army at 479-285-0815 or dennis.westfall@uss.salvationarmy.org to schedule times to volunteer.
Shopping for angels or donating to the Red Kettles are great ways to support the work of The Salvation Army in the greater Fort Smith region. We also have opportunities to cook and serve meals in our Red Shield Diner.