To help meet the unprecedented level of needs in our community this holiday season, Walmart, Belk, and The Salvation Army of Savannah (TSA) are working together to make it even easier for people to help others this Christmas. These organizations are bringing hope and joy to 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, on Walmart.com or through the Walmart app. The option to donate will run through December 31.

• The Salvation Army’s Red Kettles and iconic bell ringers will be at participating Walmart stores even earlier 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 pleased to partner with Walmart for an Angel Tree Registry. Those who prefer to do their shopping online can visit www.bit.ly/TSAWalmartRegistry. A generous 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 proud 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, 13^th Colony Sound, Savannah Scottish Rite and Angels of Mercy, a volunteer group with St. Joseph’s Candler. TSA is always in need of volunteers to ring the kettles at partner locations during the holiday season to ensure more funds are raised during this campaign to benefit their mission. 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 and has always supported the most vulnerable in our community. Whether the community is affected by COVID-19, hurricanes, floods, fires or the Spanish influenza that impacted the world over a century ago, The Salvation Army continues to serve those who need it the most.

For more information about TSA, please visit www.salvationarmygeorgia.org/savannah/ or call 912-200-3004.