The Salvation Army raised $147.6 million throughout the United States in the 2011 Christmas Red Kettle Campaign. In doing so, they set a fundraising record for the seventh straight year. This is a $5.6 million increase from last year!

We’d like to thank all of our volunteers on the Monterey Peninsula who, during the season, rang the bell, helped collect food and toys and volunteered in our food and toy warehouses. Without you, we could accomplish very little. Thank you for helping make the 2011 Christmas season a successful one, not only for Monterey, but for The Salvation Army everywhere!

Donate before midnight on December 31, 2011 and deduct it on your 2011 taxes! You can donate online by clicking this link.

For all those who have support our work throughout the year, we’d like to give you all a heartfelt thanks! Your time, money and gifts, help us to support those in need in the local community year-round! Thank You!

We are still accepting new toys this weekend. We’re at a critical level on stocking stuffers, education items (books, puzzles, etc…) and for children aged 10-12. If you would like to stop by and can donate some toys, we would greatly appreciate any support. Please call before you come, so someone can meet you. Our phone number for weekend or after-hours toy donations (up until the 22nd only) is 831-204-TOYS (8697). Ask for Melissa. Our drop-off location will be at our Main Office on 1491 Contra Costa St, Seaside. However, please call to let us know you are coming.

Still interested in helping a family provide toys to their children this Christmas? We’re wrapping up our Angel Tag program, however we still need toys! The list below outlines some of our most popular gift requests this season and can be picked up locally at Target or Wal-Mart. Toys can be dropped off at our main office at 1491 Contra Costa St, Seaside, CA. Our biggest needs are toys for the 10-12 age group, especially girls, education items and clothing of all ages!

Final weekend of packing toy bags...if you want to donate, call Melissa at 831-204-TOYS (8697)! We will be available to accept donations on evenings and this weekend up until the 22nd if you call and let us know you’d like to come by.

• Beauty things like lotions, body spray, lip gloss, etc…
• Musical items
• Hello Kitty
• Arts and crafts kits
• CD players, mp3 players
• Board games, puzzles, books and educational items
• Stuffed Animals
• Clothing of all sizes

Two of our local Salvation Army Soldiers, Rick and Tammy Leidsen, were recently featured in the Huffington Post sharing the story of their struggles of addiction to meth and dealing with serious medical issues, and how they overcame those things with their faith in Christ and love for each other. Check out an excerpt below and read the full story at the Huffington Post.

After blowing an $11,000 inheritance on gambling and meth in just one month, Rick Leidsen, 50, decided he’d had enough of the drugs and enough of living in a van in a Fresno, Calif., parking lot with his girlfriend. He wanted out of a 25-year addiction.

The Monterey Peninsula Corps is proud to have these two in our local corps, serving the community and sharing their inspiring story with others looking for a lost hope.

We had a great day this past Saturday thanks to the help of Omicron Nu. Omicron Nu packed 500 medium and 75 large food boxes ahead of the holiday season. This seasons events will conclude the chapter’s 8th year of continuous collaboration with The Salvation Army Monterey Peninsula. Thanks to everyone who came out to help!

A big Thank You! to Gold Coast Rods for once again hosting a toy drive to benefit The Salvation Army Monterey Peninsula. The group collected 5 barrels of toys at their annual Christmas party.

Last year, Yesenia Inda Sandoval was on the ropes.

The single mother of an 11-year-old girl, Sandoval said the Salvation Army came to her rescue through Operation Christmas Cheer, providing her with rent money, Thanksgiving and Christmas food baskets, and toys for her daughter’s Christmas.

“That was money I wasn’t counting on,” she said. “I’m very grateful to them.”

To continue reading about Yesenia, or to help, read the rest at the Monterey County Herald by clicking here.

Operation Christmas Cheer is a partnership between The Monterey County Herald, 1st Capital Bank and The Salvation Army to support local families in need of support during the Christmas season. This is the 26th year of Operation Christmas Cheer, which has raised over over $2 million for families in Monterey County. During the course of the Christmas season, The Herald will run several stories like the one above highlighting families who are in need of assistance this year and are being helped by The Salvation Army.

Victor Gonzales III is a rambunctious bundle of energy these days, scurrying around his home with an indefatigable exuberance.

Other than a reddish discoloration on his chest and left arm, there is little evidence of the trauma the 15-month-old Seaside toddler experienced a month ago.

In early October, Victor and his mother, Alejandra Perez, were visiting his grandmother when the energetic little boy managed to tip a hot cup of coffee over onto his curly locks and down into his zip-up, footed pajamas.

To continue reading about Victor and his families struggles, or to help, read the rest at the Monterey County Herald by clicking here.

Operation Christmas Cheer is a partnership between The Monterey County Herald, 1st Capital Bank and The Salvation Army to support local families in need of support during the Christmas season. This is the 26th year of Operation Christmas Cheer, which has raised over over $2 million for families in Monterey County. During the course of the Christmas season, The Herald will run several stories like the one above highlighting families who are in need of assistance this year and are being helped by The Salvation Army.

Beginning today, The Salvation Army Monterey Peninsula wants to find a small way to say Thank You to our many donors and volunteers that help us provide for those in need during the Christmas Season. By simply taking a picture of yourself donating or volunteering at a Red Kettle, and sending it to us, you’ll get entered to win a $10 gift card to Starbucks, Target or Acme Coffee. Instructions are below and if one of the methods there doesn’t work, we’ll even take a good ol’ fashioned actual photo from you.

*By sending us your photo, you grant The Salvation Army permission to publish it in print and online publications, including social media, to promote our Holiday Drive.