Every year the most popular question we get about Christmas distribution and toys is, “What do you need?” or “What are kids asking for this year?” It’s not an easy question to answer in a few words so we’ve put our toy experts to work to come up with some of the most requested toy items this Christmas. There is a lot here to choose from, but we have all ages up to 12 years. Of course, we can always use things like board games, educations toys, school supplies and clothing of ALL sizes!

If you just want a quick idea of what we’re looking for this year, below are some of our most popular and/or hard to get enough of toy request.

If you want to take the guesswork out though, check out our Gift Registries at Walmart, Target and Amazon.com. You can print these lists out and take them to the store with you or even order online and have it shipped to us to arrive by Dec 13th.

You can also go to these stores and print the list at the Kiosk located in Target and Walmart and search for “Salvation Army Monterey.”

Walmart Wish List

Target Wish List

Amazon Wish List

Thousands are still suffering in the aftermath of Hurricane Irene’s tear along the east coast. The Salvation Army continues to meet the needs of individuals and families of the affected areas in several states. In the southern part of the U.S. alone, The Salvation Army has served more than 60,000 meals, snacks and drinks and handed out hundreds of clean-up kits.

From North Carolina to Massachusetts, here are the updates: (Continue Reading)

Eandi receiving one of the drama awards at Music Camp

One of our own, Eandi Sosa Valenzuela, had a chance of a lifetime this past Sunday, July 24, 2011. He got to sing the National Anthem in front of a sold out crowd at AT&T Park for the San Francisco Giants baseball game. What is even more amazing is that he is only 12 years old!

Through his involvement with Salvation Army programs, as well as the Seaside Police Activities League (PAL), he has had opportunities to better his singing abilities and be encouraged along the way.  He is actively involved with the Monterey Peninsula Corps youth programs, participating in Music Night, Teen Youth Group and leading worship on Sunday mornings. This summer is the 3rd year he has attended Music and Creative Arts Camp at Camp Redwood Glen in Scotts Valley, CA. The past two years, he has taken home awards for Drama, performed on Soloist Night and this year was the featured soloist in the drama presentation, singing an adaptation of Bruno Mars’ “Grenade.”

As part of the Junior Giants Program, through the PAL program, he had the opportunity to audition and was chosen to sing the National Anthem at the game as part of that program. Because of his community involvement, he has been given the opportunity to sing the National Anthem, among other songs at various events and competitions around the Monterey Peninsula.

We’re proud Eandi has taken his God-given singing ability and opportunities provided to him through things like Music Camp and is using it not only to share with others, but also to glorify God.

Summer is right around the corner and that means we are gearing for Summer Camp at Camp Redwood Glen, The Salvation Army’s residential camp located in the mountains of Santa Cruz.

Each summer we send approximately 30 local youth to one of eleven week-long camps offered. Camp activities include sports and recreation, swimming, campfires, arts and crafts, hiking and opportunities to earn badges for our Troops. We also offer more specialized camps for soccer and basketball, Outdoor Adventure Camp where teenagers spend some time at camp before embarking on a 3 day backpacking adventure through the Big Basin State Park, and Music and Creative Arts Camp where youth are provided with opportunities to learn a musical instrument or improve their skill, sing with a number of youth choirs, and take drama, dance and other creative art classes.

Many of the youth that attend these camps are from low-income families and are in need of scholarship support. The cost for Outdoor Adventure Camp and Music and Creative Arts Camp is $270. The cost of other camps is $205. As you may imagine, not all of our youth are able to afford the full camp costs. Our goal is to subsidize the cost of camp for each camper.

Would you help us give a child a lifetime of memories this summer?

Naturally not all individuals can afford to sponsor the entire cost of a child to camp, but many would be able to make a donation to the camp scholarship fund. These donations are critical to the success of the camp and are greatly appreciated.

Individuals who are able to sponsor the cost of camp fully for a child will receive a personal thank you card from the child they sponsored.

Donations or scholarships should be sent to:

The Salvation Army Monterey Peninsula Corps
PO Box 1884
Monterey, CA 93942
Please designate the gift “Summer Camp” and make checks out to “The Salvation Army”

If you prefer to donate via credit card, please call our office at 831-899-4911.

If you would like more information about summer camp, please contact Melissa Felkins at 831-899-4911 or melissa.felkins@usw.salvationarmy.org.

Where can I donate to Midwest Tornado Relief?

Right here. The details are below.

The Salvation Army Disaster Relief Teams are on the ground and responding in wake of the tornadoes and storms that have struck the Midwest United States. We’re responding in Joplin, Missouri, Reading, Kansas,  St. Louis Park, Minnesota and the surrounding areas providing meals for residents and relief workers, helping survivors locate their loved ones and providing spiritual and emotional support to those in need.

If you would like to make a donation and help those in need, you can do so by choosing one of the methods below.

100% of your donation will go to support disaster relief in those affected areas.

To support The Salvation Army’s relief efforts, you can donate:

• Online at www.salvationarmyusa.org
• Over the phone at 1-800-SAL-ARMY
• Via text. Send “JOPLIN” to 80888 to make a $10 donation. Confirm when prompted with “yes.”
• Mail a check to:

The Salvation Army
3637 Broadway
Kansas City, MO 64111
Please designate the gift “Joplin Tornado.”

Want a more creative way to donate?  

Another way to support the relief efforts is by purchasing this t-shirt. Again, 100% of net proceeds will support relief efforts. You can purchase the t-shirt by clicking here:  Major Joe – Heartland Relief Shirt

CAN I DONATE SOMETHING BESIDES MONEY?

Many have asked about donating in-kind items, such as clothes, toys, or furniture. The Salvation Army is not accepting gifts in-kind, since there are not suitable facilities to store these items, and manpower to sort and transfer them are also limited. Monetary gifts are flexible and portable, and they allow our disaster teams to purchase the exact supplies they need, when they need them,  in the amounts they need.  Click here for more information on this topic.

The local  Salvation Army centers have not expressed a need for volunteers at this time, but you can register your name here in our disaster database should a need arise.

Thank you for your continuing support of these communities. As always, your prayers are appreciated!

Students are planting new flowers for Spring with the help of Ms. Elsee

Our Child Development Center celebrated The Week of the Young Child this week.
The theme this year is “Early Years Are Learning Years”. Check out the slideshow below to see some of the fun things students, teachers, parent and volunteers were involved in doing this week!

Mazda Raceway and The Salvation Army has once again partnered to provide toys for children this Christmas. Anyone who donates a new, unwrapped toy will receive a free ticket to the American Le Mans Series Monterey, presented by Patron, on Sept 18, 2011.

“The underlying philosophy of SCRAMP is to donate to the local community,” said Dean Fewtrell, president, SCRAMP. “The Holiday Toy Drive is another terrific example of Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca working with a charity, The Salvation Army, to help those in need during the holiday season.”

The Salvation Army Monterey Peninsula thanks Mazda for their efforts. The Toys For Tickets toy drive will run November 11 through December 13.

KSBW Share Your Holiday is set for Friday, December 10th and is fast approaching it’s 24th year! This year will bring some new and exciting changes however.

Check out the link to the video below to hear about these changes.

Share Your Holiday 2010 (via KSBW.com)

As we get closer, we’ll be share more details and information about this event!

The Salvation Army is preparing for the arrival of Hurricane Earl by providing evacuee shelters. Read more about the efforts on our National blog: http://blog.salvationarmyeds.org/?s=hurricane+earl+carolina&x=0&y=0

Here is a recap of the work The Salvation Army has been doing since Hurricane Katrina devastated the Gulf Coast five years ago this month.

Hurricane Katrina: Five Years On