TEEN SANTA
PURPOSE: To provide for teens with needs at
Christmas time, since many times the cutoff for Christmas toy assistance is at
12 years old. Teen Santa cards are hung on the Teen Santa Tree at the mall
along with our Angel Tree tags for children. Shoppers select a tag and are
registered with the teen's ID number. Shoppers then purchase a $35 gift card
that is returned to the tree location. Cards are given to parents of teens on
the day of toy distribution.
PARTNERS: Media
EXPENSES: Minimal
REVENUE: 11K - 50K > 50K
TIME TO PLAN: 6 - 12 months
RESOURCES:
Volunteers
TRANSPORT
PURPOSE: To provide donated bicycles
to needy children. The Salvation Army partners with a local bicycle club to
obtain donated bicycles. The club and volunteers ensure the bicycles are in
good repair, and as a theft deterrent the city registers the bicycles. Local
children, identified by schools and service agencies, are then provided with
the bicycles.
PARTNERS: Other Non-Profits
EXPENSES: Minimal
REVENUE: N/A
TIME TO PLAN: 1 - 2 months
RESOURCES: Volunteers
ANNUAL CHRISTMAS LUNCHEON
PURPOSE: Provides the
opportunity to showcase the Army during arguably the most visible time of the
year for the organization. It also serves as a fundraiser to provide revenues
to support the Christmas effort.
The Annual Christmas Luncheon has been
held since 1948 and is considered to be a highlight event within New York City,
what many consider to be a key "launch" to the Christmas season. Held in a
major Manhattan venue, the luncheon attracts an attendance of 1,300-1,500 from
the corporate sector, as well as Army circles (boards, donors, volunteers,
corps). It features the bestowing of awards, namely the "Pinnacle of
Achievement" and the "Community Service" awards that are given to highly
deserving individuals, corporations or foundations that have been advocates for
The Army, as well as the community overall. A 10-minute video is shown
highlighting the work of the Army, and a high-ranking Army official
(Territorial Commander, National Commander, Divisional Commander) delivers a
special Christmas message. The New York Staff Band provides exceptional
music.
PARTNERS: Local Business
EXPENSES: >10K
REVENUE: 11K -
50K > 50K
TIME TO PLAN: 6 - 12 months
RESOURCES: Staff/Officers
ANGEL TREE
PURPOSE: To undergird the Angel Tree
program with corporate volunteer and financial support. Until a few years ago,
the only source of income for the Angel Tree program was a donation from our
Women's Auxiliary. We began soliciting local corporations that adopted large
numbers of angels and were asked for their financial support to help underwrite
the program. In return, we printed their company logo on the angel tags. While
this funding does not completely cover the Angel Tree expenses, it does
generate more than $45,000 annually.
PARTNERS: Local Business
EXPENSES: N/A
REVENUE: 11K - 50K > 50K
TIME TO PLAN: Minimal
RESOURCES: Staff/Officers
BUCK$ 4 BIKES
PURPOSE: Bikes are among the most
requested toys in the Angel Tree program. Desiring to make every child's dream
come true, the "Buck$ 4 Bikes" monies help to purchase bikes for unadopted
Angels. Buck$ 4 Bikes is an August blitz fundraising effort. On the first day
of August, Auxiliary volunteers deliver Salvation Army countertop kettles with
attached signs explaining the Buck$ 4 Bikes program to participating
businesses. Kettles are placed in high traffic areas such as lobbies and
employee break rooms. Auxiliary members check on the kettles throughout the
month. The campaign ends on the last day of August. Presentations are also made
at the August meetings of organizations such as Rotary club. Each presentation
ends with, "Now is the audience participation part of the program. Take out
your wallet, pull out a buck and place it in the kettle that is being passed."
This humorous closing has always been well received. One group of Rotarians
became so enthusiastic about the project that they volunteered to assemble the
bikes at the Distribution Center. Bikes are purchased through Academy Sports at
a discount.
PARTNERS: Local Business
EXPENSES: Minimal
REVENUE:
1K - 5K
TIME TO PLAN: 1 - 2 months
RESOURCES: Volunteers
CELEBRITY GIFT WRAP
PURPOSE: To offer a
stress-relieving service and raise funds for the Army.
College students
and semi-pro sports teams, community leaders and media personalities volunteer
to wrap gifts at the Mall in exchange for donations to The Salvation Army.
PARTNERS: Local Business
EXPENSES: Minimal
REVENUE: 5K - 10K
TIME TO PLAN: Minimal
RESOURCES: Volunteers
CHRISTMAS BILL STUFFERS
PURPOSE: To help raise
additional funds during the Christmas season.
Contact local businesses
that do mailings to their customers (e.g., utility companies, banks, etc.). Ask
to insert a donation envelope (the size of a check). The companies often stuff
the envelopes and cover the cost of the mailing. The only cost to you is the
envelopes.
PARTNERS: Local Business
EXPENSES: Minimal
REVENUE:
11K - 50K > 50K
TIME TO PLAN: Minimal
RESOURCES: Volunteers
CHRISTMAS HONOR CARD
PURPOSE: A fundraiser to
help pay for our Christmas programs. Each year we try to have an original theme
describing one of our programs. The cards are sold for $5 each. The Christmas
Honor Card this year was created with the help of a local artist group working
with children who live at our transitional housing facility, The Center of
Hope. Children ages 8 to 15 gathered at ArtQuest in downtown Greensboro to
illustrate what "home" means to those who have no home. Their images remind us
that home is not a dwelling. Home is what dwells within the heart. The front of
the card depicts a heart with the following: "May Christ be newborn in your
heart this Christmas." Inside is a seasonal greeting and a note indicating a
gift in a person's name has been made to The Salvation Army to continue its
ministry of faith, hope and love.
PARTNERS: N/A
EXPENSES: 1K - 5K
REVENUE: 11K - 50K > 50K
TIME TO PLAN: 3 - 6 months
RESOURCES:
Volunteers
FISHNET HOLIDAY FUNDRAISER
PURPOSE: To raise
holiday funds employing the traditional and local style of using fishnets to
solicit funds. For the past seven years, The Salvation Army, in partnership
with local television station KHON TV2, has established the Lokahi Giving
Project as a venue by which people can donate to help families in need. As part
of its annual holiday kickoff, the campaign used 200 volunteers to solicit
donations from motorists using fishnets at 12 major street intersections. The
successful campaign generated more than $47,000, doubling the previous year's
donations.
PARTNERS: Media
EXPENSES: 1K - 5K
REVENUE: 11K - 50K
> 50K
TIME TO PLAN: 3 - 6 months
RESOURCES: Volunteers
FUNDRAISERS
PURPOSE: To raise money to purchase
stocking stuffing items. The Outback restaurant in our area opened for a
Saturday afternoon luncheon, at which they provided all the food, drink and
dessert for individuals to whom we sold tickets for $25. We were able to keep
all of the funds except for a tip left for the volunteer waiter and cook staff
of the restaurant.
PARTNERS: Local Business
EXPENSES: Minimal
REVENUE: 1K - 5K
TIME TO PLAN: 3 - 6 months
RESOURCES:
Volunteers
MAKE IT / BAKE IT
PURPOSE: To involve and
encourage Auxiliary members and Salvation Army staff to make and bake items to
be auctioned at the Christmas Luncheon for fundraising. This annual luncheon
event was designed to encourage the Women's Auxiliary members to challenge
their creative side by making or baking items to be auctioned off to other
members during the Auxiliary Christmas Luncheon Celebration. Homemade cakes,
cookies, breads, candy, quilts, blankets, floral arrangements and other
hand-crafted items are always coveted and bring large sums of money when
auctioned. During the luncheon, fellowship abounds as Christmas carols are
sung, and brain teasers or other games are played by all those attending. The
competition gets a little heated when snowmen items are on the auction block,
for several members are collectors of snowmen and will go to great lengths (and
dollars) to acquire those cherished characters. All collected funds go into the
Women's Auxiliary coffers and help support the many services and programs of
The Salvation Army within the Community. This project raises nearly $1,000 and
generates fun and fellowship and encourages hospitality as well as raising
holiday cheer!
PARTNERS: N/A
EXPENSES: N/A
REVENUE: N/A
TIME TO PLAN: Minimal
RESOURCES: N/A
MERRY, MERRY SHOW TUNES CDS AND THEATER CARES
EVENT
PURPOSE: To raise money to purchase new furnishings for the
Youth Services facility, a residential program for adolescents, ages 12 to17,
who are victims of abuse or neglect, or are at risk. This project consisted of
two phases: (1) Merry, Merry Show Tunes CDs were put together by Birmingham's
best and brightest talent. A collection of holiday hits from theater, cinema
and cabaret was put together on a CD. These CDs were sold to the public; (2)
Theater Cares Event was a concert featuring music from the Merry, Merry Show
Tunes. Setup was on a Broadway theater-style stage where local artists
performed. The public was invited to attend. This fundraiser originated from a
lady named Jan D. Hunter, who is a part of the theater community. She wanted to
celebrate her 50th birthday by raising money for The Salvation Army.
PARTNERS: Local Business
EXPENSES: 5K - 10K
REVENUE: 11K - 50K >
50K
TIME TO PLAN: 3 - 6 months
RESOURCES: Volunteers
OPEN HOUSE/CHRISTMAS TEA
PURPOSE: The money
raised for this fundraiser helps support programs in our area. By invitation
only, individuals are invited to celebrate the holiday season in a lovely,
historical setting. The tickets are sold for $25 per person; the event takes
place on a Saturday afternoon. Live entertainment is provided; a harpist adds
to the enjoyment of tasting holiday delights and meeting friends.
PARTNERS: Local Business
EXPENSES: 1K - 5K
REVENUE: 1K - 5K
TIME TO PLAN: 6 - 12 months
RESOURCES: Volunteers
CHRISTMAS CANDLELIGHT WALK
PURPOSE: To raise
awareness of Salvation Army programs as well as to raise funds for Christmas
programs. Walkers collect pledges for walking. The walk takes place as a part
of the city Christmas kickoff on the day after Thanksgiving. Participants walk
from The Salvation Army to downtown, arriving as a part of the annual Christmas
Tree Lighting. When the procession arrives, the participants line up behind the
city Christmas tree, their lit candles adding to the beauty of the scene. The
signal is then given to begin the tree lighting celebration. In this way, the
Army is a high-profile part of the local Christmas celebration.
PARTNERS:
Local Business
EXPENSES: Minimal
REVENUE: 1K - 5K
TIME TO PLAN:
1 - 2 months
RESOURCES: Volunteers
CHRISTMAS COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS
PURPOSE: To
build community awareness of Army programs and services during the Christmas
season. To build ongoing relationships that allow the Army to maximize
community resources and help individuals in need.
The Salvation Army
partners with the United States Marine Corps Toys for Tots and Virginian-Pilot
Joy Fund programs each Christmas season. With our combined efforts, we are able
to maximize the monetary and in-kind donations that the community generously
gives to our organizations. Parents are able to complete one application for
assistance and pick up gifts from one location, The Salvation Army Christmas
Depot. Eligible families with children receive food boxes, a parent gift,
bears, stockings, toys and new clothes through the Angel Tree program.
Partnerships with Operation Blessing International and the local food bank
provide food items.
PARTNERS: Other Non-Profits
EXPENSES: >10K
REVENUE: 11K - 50K > 50K
TIME TO PLAN: Ongoing
RESOURCES:
Staff/Officers
MEDIA APPRECIATION LUNCHEON
PURPOSE: To thank
the media for their tremendous support in telling our story to the community
and creating excitement for upcoming public relations opportunities by giving
them a "sneak peak" of upcoming events at The Salvation Army. A networking
lunch with a short program and an award ceremony, during a lunch hour in
January. The Community Relations Department works with the Advisory Board and
Public Relations Committee to produce a media guide and a "survival" kit. The
media guide includes holiday highlights, calendar of upcoming events, statewide
program summaries, story idea lists and contact information. The media survival
kit includes lip balm, water, energy bar, TSA notepad, pens, a $15 coffee card,
fruit snacks, mints and band-aids. The awards given out are media related and
fun. This is a great networking, educational and fun event.
PARTNERS:
N/A
EXPENSES: Minimal
REVENUE: N/A
TIME TO PLAN: 1 - 2 months
RESOURCES: Staff/Officers
TOYS FOR TOTS PARTNERSHIP 2006
PURPOSE: To
secure donations of toys to provide for clients in need of holiday assistance.
Prior to the partnership, the majority of the toys had to be purchased. The
Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots conducted a toy drive for the exclusive
benefit of The Salvation Army. All of the publicity for the campaign jointly
featured both organizations. A commercial was produced and distributed that
featured our Divisional Commander and the Toys for Tots representative.
Registration to receive toys was conducted at TSA sites with the assistance of
the Marines. Distribution was also conducted with the assistance of the Marines
and other volunteers. Area agencies wanting to receive toys from the program
did so through TSA.
PARTNERS: Other Non-Profits
EXPENSES: Minimal
REVENUE: 11K - 50K > 50K
TIME TO PLAN: 3 - 6 months
RESOURCES:
Staff/Officers
ADOPT A FAMILY RADIOTHON
PURPOSE: To invite
radio listeners to call and volunteer to "adopt" a family or senior citizen and
ensure that local needy families receive food and gifts for the holidays. For
six years, a live broadcast from The Salvation Army Lied Renaissance Center has
spread the word about "adopting" needy families who apply to the Army for help
during the holidays. More than 1,600 families were "adopted" in 2005 thanks to
radio stations Star 104.5 FM and 97.7 KBBX Radio Lobo (for Spanish-speaking
donors). Donors promise to provide a meal for the entire family and a toy or
clothing for each child, and deliver the wrapped gifts to their assigned
family. They can adopt from one to 12 family members. Information about sizes,
ages and gift preferences is sent to the good-hearted donor to help them shop.
It's a heart-warming sight to see 200 volunteers show up to cover phone banks,
handle mail requests and carry out many other duties during the three-day
marathon. Last year, eight companies pitched in to sponsor the event, making
this a community-wide effort.
PARTNERS: Media
EXPENSES: Minimal
REVENUE: N/A
TIME TO PLAN: 6 - 12 months
RESOURCES: Volunteers
COATS FOR KIDS
PURPOSE: To collect coats for
children (and adults) within the community through a campaign coordinated with
local television station KNDU-TV. The campaign has become an annual partnership
between KNDU-TV, The Salvation Army and several other sponsors, to ensure that
every child in the Tri-Cities area who needs a coat will get one. Coats are
taken to donation sites where they are picked up, dry cleaned and given to
children (or adults) who are in need of a coat. If a person needs a coat for a
child, they are referred to The Salvation Army.
PARTNERS: Local
Business
EXPENSES: Minimal
REVENUE: N/A
TIME TO PLAN: Ongoing
RESOURCES: Staff/Officers
MR. BINGLE
PURPOSE: To help clothe children for
Christmas. Mr. Bingle is a well-loved snowman figure that this area has
cherished for approximately 20 years. It works like the Angel Tree, but when a
child is "adopted" and the gifts are returned, the donors receive a Mr. Bingle
tree ornament to remind them of their generous donation. They assist
approximately 300 children every year and have raised in excess of $600 through
this project.
PARTNERS: Local Business
EXPENSES: N/A
REVENUE:
Minimal
TIME TO PLAN: 3 - 6 months
RESOURCES: Volunteers
OPERATION ANGEL
PURPOSE: To collect toys through
the Angel Tree. We establish an Angel Tree location at a local car dealership.
The dealer then commits to center his advertising for the holidays around the
Angel Tree. Each day the dealer calls in to the radio station they advertise
with and says, "I have a Salvation Army Angel here, and her name is Sandra. All
she wants for Christmas is a Barbie doll. Will you come down to Alexander Ford
and purchase a gift for Sandra and check out the new cars while you're
here?"
PARTNERS: Local Business
EXPENSES: Minimal
REVENUE:
N/A
TIME TO PLAN: Minimal
RESOURCES: Staff/Officers
OPERATION TURKEY DROP AND SAFETY FAIR
PURPOSE: To
collect turkeys and other food for Christmas food distribution, as well as
provide holiday safety information. The National Guard kicks off the event the
day before by bringing in a load of frozen turkeys via a Black Hawk helicopter.
This kickoff attracts media and provides advance publicity for the food drive.
The day of the drive, local radio station, Newstalk 780 KOH, broadcasts live
during a 12-hour period. On-air staff urge listeners to drive through TSA's
parking lot and drop off frozen turkeys and nonperishable food. Law
enforcement, fire department and ambulance personnel display squad cars,
command posts, fire trucks, ambulances, etc., and provide safety information
for the general public. They also provide the labor to offload food
donations.
PARTNERS: Media
EXPENSES: Minimal
REVENUE: 1K - 5K
TIME TO PLAN: 1 - 2 months
RESOURCES: Volunteers
SHOPPING FOR MOM/DAD/GRANDPARENTS
PURPOSE: To
allow low-income children an opportunity to shop for Christmas gifts for their
adult caregiver(s). Throughout the year, as donations are received at the local
Thrift Store, new items are put away to be used for this event. In November,
letters are sent out by Social Services inviting low-income children to come to
the Thrift Store on a specific date in December to "shop" for a gift for their
mom and/or dad, or grandparents, if they're being raised by them. Children
arrive at their designated time and are brought to an area where all kinds of
gifts are laid out for the children to choose for their caregiver(s). After
they have chosen what they want to give, they are then assisted, if needed, to
wrap and decorate the gift(s). When done the children are treated to cookies
and apple cider, and they also receive a small gift to enjoy.
PARTNERS:
N/A
EXPENSES: Minimal
REVENUE: N/A
TIME TO PLAN: 1 - 2 months
RESOURCES: Volunteers
CHRISTMAS BRASS CAROLING
PURPOSE: To thank top
donors, businesses and foundations for their support. Pull top 3% donor list,
sort by zip codes. Select weekdays and evening times to carol in set
neighborhoods. Your corps officer and musicians from the corps and local groups
visit homes for several evenings three weeks prior to Christmas. Pre-call
families and set appointments or notify that they will be caroling in their
neighborhood. Can talk with Major or just listen. The band plays several songs
per house and asks if there are any requests. Major is available to visit with
donors and answer any questions during this time.
PARTNERS: Schools
EXPENSES: Minimal
REVENUE: 11K - 50K > 50K
TIME TO PLAN:
Minimal
RESOURCES: Volunteers
PROJECT KNIT AND CROCHET
PURPOSE: To provide
scarves, hats and mittens to people in need.
We wanted to provide hats,
scarves and mittens, while giving out coats during our coat distributions. We
wrote news articles asking people who had yarn they were not using to drop it
off at specific sites; the same article asked people to knit or crochet hats,
scarves or mittens for this project. It worked extremely well in every county
that has done this project. People drop off unused yarn, and those who want to
knit or crochet pick up yarn. Many people seem to have extra yarn sitting
around they are happy to donate. We have also found many individuals who
enjoyed knitting or crocheting but could not afford to buy yarn. Leftover items
are usually given to local schools to distribute to children in need. During
the last project, a small county collected more than 12 large boxes of items
for distribution.
PARTNERS: N/A
EXPENSES: N/A
REVENUE: N/A
TIME TO PLAN: Minimal
RESOURCES: Volunteers
**Please contact the Communications Bureau for more details - communications_bureau@
uss.salvationarmy.org