Registration for Holiday Assistance Begins Today

The Salvation Army officially opens its Christmas Center this afternoon, November 7 at 1:00 p.m. The staff at The Sylvia Fites Family Services Center will begin accepting applications from families seeking assistance during the upcoming holiday months. Funds raised through the Tree of Lights Campaign provide holiday assistance and financial support of various programs that serve the less fortunate in the Peoria area throughout the year.

The Christmas Center will be open Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m., and on Thursdays from 1:00 – 7:00 p.m. The Salvation Army not only offers its own assistance programs throughout the holidays, but in partnership with the Peoria Journal Star and in cooperation with other social service agencies, The Salvation Army acts as the clearing house for all those who wish to receive a Christmas food basket. This process helps reduce the duplication of services in the Peoria area and distribution of baskets to those in need. The sign-ups include those wishing to receive food baskets, any of The Salvation Army toy programs, holiday parties and Coats for Kids.

Individuals signing up need to have proper ID, showing their current address, and for those with children, a copy of the child’s birth certificate or medical card. Sign-up is for Coats for Kids, Christmas food baskets, and our various toy giveaways, including the Share the Spirit Party and our Christmas Toy Shop.

The Tree of Lights Campaign officially kicks-off on Friday, November 11 indoors at Northwoods Mall and the familiar red kettles will be out that same day. The monies raised during the Tree of Lights Campaign comprise more than a third of the overall annual budget for The Salvation Army in the Peoria area.

For more information about the Christmas Center, please call 655-7272.