Salvation Army, Walmart collaborate on Angel Tree Campaign

Christmas wishes granted with each tag on the tree

The Salvation Army Angel Trees planted in Walmart locations across southeast Michigan are not decorated with bright lights and sparkling ornaments but glisten with hope for a needy child in the community.

“When the caseworker called and told me we had been adopted, I started bawling,” said a mother in Sterling Heights, according to a release about the program. “She started asking the sizes of our clothes. I said, ‘Me, too?’ and she said ‘yes.’ I hadn’t had a winter coat in four years.”

Her daughter is among the children with a name tag on the Salvation Army Angel Tree telling members of the community what her Christmas wish might be. Now through Dec. 15, those who choose a tag will have the opportunity to provide gifts for the child in need and their family through the collaborative efforts of the Salvation

Army of Metro Detroit and Walmart. The gifts will be distributed by The Salvation Army to families in time for Christmas morning.

Once purchased, donations may be dropped off at a storefront donation bin at participating Walmart stores and distributed to families in the community.

To help even further, Walmart’s online customers can support The Salvation Army by rounding up their purchase to the nearest dollar now through Dec. 28. Walmart shoppers can also donate to a storefront red kettle, which will return to participating Walmart locations this Saturday.

Last year, The Salvation Army of Metro Detroit provided the community nearly 205,000 Christmas toys and gifts for children and shut-in seniors through toy shops and other gift giving programs.

The Salvation Army’s 2021 Red Kettle Campaign fundraising goal is $8.3 million. In addition to participating in the Angel Tree Campaign, Salvation Army supporters can help support the nonprofit’s efforts by:

• Texting GIFT to 24365

• Donating money via an online or physical red kettle

• Volunteering as a virtual or in-person bell ringer at registertoring.com

• Visiting salmich.org

• Calling 877-SAL-MICH For more information including a full list of participating Walmart locations, visit salvationarmyusa.org/ usn/walmart-angel-tree.