Calling on Angels: Salvation Army of Amarillo relies on spirit of giving to fill kettles, help families

Brianna Maestas, Amarillo Globe-News
·3 min read

The Salvation Army of Amarillo is seeking community support to reach its Red Kettle Challenge goal and provide a Christmas for their Angel Tree recipients.

Salvation Army of Amarillo Major Tex Ellis said the organization is currently in need of area donors to support its Angel Tree. In total, the organization has 900 angels on its trees this year, including 354 area families.

Angel Trees can be found in the Westgate Mall, located in the center near the security desk and at the Coulter Street and Georgia Street Walmart locations.

Each of the Angel Tree cards includes the children's needs - which can include items like pajamas, under garments, clothing or a backpack - and a want, including toys, gift cards, puzzles and more. Each of the tags also includes the child's gender and style preferences to help shoppers select those perfect items.

Salvation Army of Amarillo Major Andrea Ellis said this year they have more male Angels than previous years and many are asking for toys and items pertaining to Fortnite.

The Salvation Army of Amarillo seeks donors and volunteers for their Angel Tree program benefiting about 900 children this year. Angels can be selected from the trees located in the Westgate Mall and select area Walmart now until Dec. 15 when gifts will be distributed.
The Salvation Army of Amarillo seeks donors and volunteers for their Angel Tree program benefiting about 900 children this year. Angels can be selected from the trees located in the Westgate Mall and select area Walmart now until Dec. 15 when gifts will be distributed.
The Salvation Army of Amarillo seeks donors and volunteers for their Angel Tree program benefiting about 900 children this year. Angels can be selected from the trees located in the Westgate Mall and select area Walmart now until Dec. 15 when gifts will be distributed.
The Salvation Army of Amarillo seeks donors and volunteers for their Angel Tree program benefiting about 900 children this year. Angels can be selected from the trees located in the Westgate Mall and select area Walmart now until Dec. 15 when gifts will be distributed.

According to the majors, the Angels' gifts will be informally due by Dec. 10. They will then be prepared to be distributed on Dec. 15.

"We have had some be adopted, which is great, but we still have quite a few to go, and with the weather warming up we are hoping that this will be a big week for us to help get those angels adopted," Tex Ellis said.

The Salvation Army has also kicked off its Red Kettle Challenge, with kettle donation points located throughout Amarillo now through Dec. 23.

The Ellises said the red kettles can be seen Monday through Saturday collecting donations. This year the Amarillo locations are hoping to reach a $130,000 goal, and they have currently raised a little over 30% of that goal.

"We have 20 days from Dec. 1 through Dec. 23 to raise these funds, because we are not out on Sundays so that puts into perspective our timeline. We wont have those three Sundays to raise funds and are hoping the community can help us meet that goal," Tex Ellis said.

All donations given to the challenge in Amarillo remain in the area to help those the Salvation Army serves including funding and maintaining social services program, financial help program, emergency shelter program, meals, their food pantry program and more.

"Red kettles are important I let people know if you give a gift right now that very well may be the funds to help someone in the summer, in the fall, it really sets us up to help those in need year round," Tex Ellis said.

The Salvation Army of Amarillo seeks donors and volunteers for their Red Kettle Challenge held now until Dec. 20.
The Salvation Army of Amarillo seeks donors and volunteers for their Red Kettle Challenge held now until Dec. 20.
Leia Fulcher puts her money in the Red Kettle for the Salvation Army's annual holiday drive.
Leia Fulcher puts her money in the Red Kettle for the Salvation Army's annual holiday drive.

In addition to donations the organization is also seeking Bell ringers, volunteers can go to https://registertoring.com/ to sign up.

For those wishing to donate, the Red Kettles can be found at all Walmart locations, Hobby Lobby and some United Family grocery stores.

Cash, check and online donations are all accepted by the Salvation Army, as well as peer-to-peer mobile payment apps such as Cash App, Venmo and Paypal and more. Donations can be made in person at a bucket by placing cash in the bucket or scanning the QR code. Donations can also be accepted online at https://southernusa.salvationarmy.org/amarillo.

Donors can also participate in the Red Kettle Challenge by rounding up their change or making a donation at any area Toot'n Totum, as a part of their Toot'n Totum Round Up fundraiser benefitting the Salvation Army of Amarillo.

This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: Amarillo Salvation Army needs donors, volunteers for Angel Tree, Red Kettle