The Salvation Army Tri-City Corps Joe K. Anderson Community Center is hoping to provide a joyous Christmas morning to approximately 2,000 children in the Tri-Cities area.

The annual Jim Wheeler Toys for Kids Campaign provides toys to families in need and this year the campaign will kick off its toy collection at the Downtown St. Charles Partnership Electric Christmas Parade on Saturday, Nov. 26, 2016. Supporters are invited to bring a toy to the parade, to be collected by the St. Charles Breakfast Rotary Club Float as it travels down the parade route.

In days after the parade, toy donations can be brought from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.  Monday through Friday to The Salvation Army, 1710 S. 7^th Ave in St. Charles.

Other Ways to Help Provide for Children and Families in Need

Angel Tree. Volunteers can adopt angels, which include wish list items from children who will be served through our Christmas Toy Shop. Volunteers are asked to purchase toys, coat, and clothing items for each angel.

Family Adoption. The Salvation Army selects a specific family to be adopted by your family or organization. We collect their wish list, and you purchase the gifts and clothing for the family plus a gift card for a holiday meal.

Christmas Food Basket Sponsorship. The Salvation Army distributes between $18,000-$20,000 in gift cards to provide Christmas food baskets for families receiving help through our Holiday Assistance Program.

Volunteer Bellringers Needed. The money raised locally in the Red Kettle Campaign provides resources for Tri-City families not only during the holiday season, but year-round, through emergency assistance and community center programming. Volunteers are crucial to the success of the Red Kettle Campaign and The Salvation Army Tri-City Corps is asking the community for their help. Individuals, businesses, service clubs, churches and families are invited to register for bellringing shifts either online at salar.my/TriCityRTR.

For more information, contact Deanna Wieden, The Salvation Army Tri-City Volunteer Coordinator at Deanna_wieden@usc.salvationarmy.org or call her at 630-377-ARMY (2769).

Families in need of assistance can contact Belen Hood, of The Salvation Army Community and Family Services, at 630-377-2769. For more information, visit our website at www.satricity.org.

SOURCE: Salvation Army Tri-City Corps news release