The Salvation Army in Newbury host a children’s Christmas party. These images are only available for generic use only.
Every year, Salvation Army churches ask people to donate new toys and gifts for children whose families are already making impossible choices between food, heating, and bills.
Last year, Guildford Salvation Army distributed more than 475 gifts with each child receiving toys, Argos or Entertainer vouchers and each family receiving three food parcels and Aldi vouchers.
Salvation Army church leader Major Julia Adcock said: “Our Christmas Present Appeal is an opportunity for people in our community to embrace the spirit of Christmas and give to families and individuals who have very little. Christmas is meant to be a time of love and joy, but for many it’s a time of stress and despair when financial worries are brought into sharp focus for families who are struggling to heat their homes, let alone provide presents for their children.
“The Christmas present appeal is how we put our belief into action, showing love where it’s needed most. We believe every child deserves to experience joy on Christmas morning. We are always overwhelmed by the generosity of the public in supporting our appeal each year and we hope you continue to do so to ensure every child wakes up on Christmas Day with a smile on their face.”
The church on Woodbridge Road in Guildford will be collecting donations of new unwrapped toys and are especially looking for gifts for teenage boys and girls such as cinema tickets and tenpin bowling tickets.
Julia and her team would also welcome Christmas snacks, crisps, tinned fruit, trifle mix Christmas cake, puddings and soft drinks for the Christmas food parcel distribution that runs alongside the Toy Appeal. All donations are welcomed from November the 12th until December the 19th.
People can drop their generous contribution at the Salvation Army Church and Community Centre or make a donation via www.justgiving.com/fundraising/guildford-the-salvation-army1carolling
The Salvation Army will sort and distribute the gifts to children and families in the area through nearby groups, schools and social services.
