THE SALVATION ARMY OF BROWARD COUNTY ADAPTS HOLIDAY GIVING EFFORTS DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC

DONATE THROUGH PHYSICAL AND VIRTUAL RED KETTLES OR REGISTER TO RING TO HELP “RESCUE CHRISTMAS” FOR CHILDREN IN NEED; ANGEL TREES NOW ONLINE AND IN RETAIL STORES BEGINNING NOV. 30

#RescueChristmas

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (November 20, 2020) – The Salvation Army of Broward County has officially launched its “Rescue Christmas” giving initiative for 2020. Adapting to the present COVID-19 pandemic, the nonprofit organization is encouraging benefactors to visit socially distanced physical Red Kettles available in more than 50 retail locations throughout Broward County or online options that promote giving safely and virtually. Angel Tree registries are now available online through Walmart and will sprout in retail locations beginning November 30.

Statistics show that in 2018, 50 percent of households in Broward County, struggled to pay for basic needs such as housing, childcare, food, transportation, health care and technology. With the recent COVID-19 pandemic and its subsequent furloughs and layoffs, that number has significantly increased and the option of holiday gifts may not be a reality for many families this year.

“The economic fallout from the ongoing health crisis has led to a new population of families and individuals facing unemployment and financial hardships that are expected to last through the holidays and well into the coming year,” said Major Stephen Long, area commander for The Salvation Army of Broward County. “It’s up to us, as a community, to support and uplift those in critical need. Through faith, hope and a generosity of spirit, we can ensure our most vulnerable children and families experience joy this holiday season.”

To comply with current coronavirus health concerns, the nonprofit organization will again, offer smart chips and QR codes at its physical Red Kettle retail locations, allowing shoppers to simply “bump” or scan their phones to make a digital donation, thus minimizing personal contact. Donations can also be made online at https.//bit.ly/BrowardRedKettle. Additionally, The Salvation Army is offering virtual bell ringing volunteer options at www.RegisterToRing.com.

For benefactors who prefer to donate gifts from the safety and comfort of their own home, The Salvation Army is partnering with Walmart for its virtual Angel Tree Registry at https://bit.ly/BrowardAngelTree. Through Walmart, customers can shop for gifts and have them delivered directly to The Salvation Army of Broward County. Physical Angel Trees with Angel adoption tags can be found at the following retail locations from November 30 – December 14:

Galleria Mall, 2414 W Sunrise Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304
Westfield Broward, 8000 W Broward Blvd., Plantation, FL 33388
Pembroke Lakes Mall, 11401 Pines Blvd., Pembroke Pines, FL 33026
Walmart, 6001 Coral Ridge Drive, Coral Springs, FL 33076

Both the physical and virtual Angel Tree tags detail a child’s wishes, sizing and other pertinent information plus instructions. Donors can fulfill the gift request on the tag ($25 to $30 per child, as this may be the only gift the child receives) and unwrapped gifts may be delivered back to the Angel Tree location, sent via Walmart or dropped-off to The Salvation Army of Broward Headquarters by Saturday, Dec. 14 for the Toy Shop distribution drive-through from December 18 – 21.

Last year’s Angel Tree program secured and distributed more than 8,046 toys to 1,061 families with diminished resources and the Red Kettles collected $213,205. The Angel Tree and Red Kettle programs, however, are only part of the nonprofit organization’s holiday efforts to help those less fortunate. On Thanksgiving, it will prepare Thanksgiving meals to go for hundreds of families with diminished resources and will continue to feed the hungry through its free Food Pantry distributions.

Visit RescueChristmas.org to donate or learn more about how you can help. Every donation provides hope to the most vulnerable, and all gifts stay within the community in which they are given.

For more information, please contact Alyse Gossman at (954) 712-2431 or email alyse.gossman@uss.salvationarmy.org.