REPORT FROM THE SALVATION ARMY – Walmart and The Salvation Army are partnering this Christmas season to help provide new toys and other gifts to local children on Christmas as part of the 122nd Annual Red Kettle Campaign. The “Fill the Truck” toy drive will be hosted at all Walmart stores on Oahu, Maui and the Big Island, along with more than 2,500 other Walmart stores across the country, on Saturday, December 8, 2012.
The “Fill the Truck” event will begin at 9:00 a.m. and run until 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 8, and is open to the general public who would like to donate new toys and other gifts to children who take part in The Salvation Army programs year-round. Upon arrival, shoppers will receive a list of suggested gifts to help fill the collection bin at the store. The Salvation Army will distribute the gifts to local children in need. The collection is expected to provide gifts to more than 15,000 children.
This year, the Walmart Foundation also made a $1 million donation to The Salvation Army’s Red Kettle Campaign. The donation will be split among the four Salvation Army Territories and support feeding programs, including meal programs for youths. Last year, The Salvation Army helped serve 600,000 meals to local children and adults in need in Hawaii.
“The Salvation Army is excited to partner with Walmart. Each year, Walmart is there to help us meet demands and provide a special Christmas to families and individuals who may not otherwise have a Christmas to celebrate,” said John Chamness, divisional commander of The Salvation Army.
For more information on The Salvation Army, please visit www.salvationarmyhawaii.org