Through community support, our Christmas Assistance Program provides thousands of families, children and seniors in Central Virginia with gifts at Christmas and allows us to share with them the love of Christ. We are so grateful for our community partners who generously participate to make our uplifting Christmas programs possible.

Richmond Christmas Mother

Since 1934 the Richmond Christmas Mother has raised money to support Christmas assistance programs in the Richmond area. The Richmond Christmas Mother Fund is the major underwriter for The Salvation Army Christmas Assistance Program in Central Virginia. The program consists of four distinct projects, each with a different lead partner, as described below. Monetary gifts for the Richmond Christmas Mother Fund, can be made online at www.RichmondChristmasMother.com or via mail to the Richmond Christmas Mother Fund, 300 E. Franklin St., Richmond, VA 23219. Checks should be made payable to Richmond Christmas Mother Fund.

12 On Your Side Angel Tree

The Salvation Army Angel Tree, in partnership with NBC12, allows the community to choose Angels (children ages 0-13) and Silver Bells (ages 62+) from trees displayed at area malls and corporations, and purchase gifts for that child or senior at Christmas. Each Angel/Silver Bell represents an underprivileged child or senior who, without the support of the community, might not have a Christmas. Donors adopt the Angels and Silver Bells by providing new clothing and gifts for their Christmas. The Angel Tree campaign began in the early 1980s.

Fox Holiday Socks

FOX Holiday Socks is a project of FOX Richmond which encourages members of the community to fill stockings for children at Christmas. Stockings can be picked up at The Salvation Army Central Virginia Area Command, FOX Richmond or any area Virginia Family Dentistry location. Every child served through the Christmas Assistance program is intended to receive a stocking. The Fox Holiday Socks project began in 2004.

The Great Big Greenhouse

The newest addition to our list of partners, The Great Big Greenhouse serves as both an Angel Tree adoption and drop-off site in Midlothian, VA. They also hosted our annual Volunteer Appreciation reception and their countertop kettles at checkout serve as a gentle reminder to all who walk through their doors to keep Doing the Most Good year-round.

Puritan Cleaners Coats for Kids 

Puritan Cleaners collects donated new and used winter coats through their locations and other promotional events throughout the year. Puritan cleans and repairs the coats, at no cost, and organizes them at The Salvation Army Christmas Center, to be given to families during our Christmas Assistance distribution. During distribution, the head of household may select one coat for each family member, adults and children, living in the home. We also provide coats directly to several schools and social service organizations so they can distribute coats to their clients as well. The Coats for Kids project and partnership began in 1988.

Page Auto Group

For years, Page Auto Group has generously provided a fleet of passenger vans so that our Red Kettle bell ringers can be safely transported throughout the holiday season. Vans are wrapped with branding from The Salvation Army and Page Auto Group, which the company also provides.

Wegmans

Wegmans Short Pump and Wegmans Midlothian joined our Christmas Assistance Program in 2016, shortly after opening their first two stores in the Richmond area.  During the month of November, customers can “Give a Holiday Meal” to a family in need when they check-out at any register.