The Salvation Army is also supportingWest, Texas, after an explosion at a fertilizer plant left at least 15 people dead and 160 injured. Click here to support efforts.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the people of Boston and West, Texas.

The Salvation Army
Golden State Divisional Headquarters
Monterey Peninsula Corps

The Salvation Army
Golden State Divisional Headquarters
Monterey Peninsula Corps

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.

If your child is interested in attending summer camp with The Salvation Army, please details by downloading our flyer (PDF): Summer Camp 2013

(Pictured left to right: Ted Elisee, Director of Advancement, Frank Mecurio, Horace Mecurio and Major David Yardley accepting the check)

Coffee Mia in Marina celebrated 5 years as a successful business this month. Owned by Horace Mecurio, son of Frank and Gloria Mecurio, the business set out to honor Gloria holding a raffle and honoring Gloria (who has been promoted to Glory) through a generous donation from the money raised to the Salvation Army Monterey Peninsula Corps. Gloria served for many faithful years on the Monterey Corps Advisory Board and held many offices to include Chair. The check was donated at the Coffee Mia Shop.

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!

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 (Includes a lot of books and toys for pre-teen age)

In order to get some of these request out to an even larger audience, we’ve taken some snapshots of the “Angels” so that you can sponsor a child’s Christmas gift online. Here’s all you need to do!

• Send us a message via Facebook, Twitter, email (info@tsamonterey.com), or by leaving a comment here and tell us which Angel you’d like to sponsor (Angel photos will be updated as Angels are chosen)
• Make sure to note the child’s first name, code #, and toy wishes and sizes so you can go shop
• If you’d like the tag mailed to you, you can request that as well
• Shop for your Angel – Choose a toy fron those listed, purchase it. Also consider purchasing a clothing item, stocking stuffer, and educational item (but not required)
• Return the gifts, CLEARLY marked with the name and numeric code or the Tag if you received it via mail. The deadline is Dec 12, 2012 to be dropped off at our main office at 1491 Contra Costa St, Seaside, CA 93955
• All gifts should be UNWRAPPED

That’s it! Choose from the Angels below!

1. Scan this QR Code with your phone’s barcode scanner (See details below if you are confused)
2. When it scans you should have an option to “Send SMS” – Select that option
3. It will compose a text message for you that says “IGIVE MONTEREY”
4. SEND the message
5. You will then receive a confirmation
6. Text the word YES as a reply to the confirmation (If you skip this step, the donation will not be processed)

You can also manually compose the text message to the number 80888, with the phrase “IGIVE MONTEREY” in the body of the message. Then follow the directions above starting at #4.

Don’t know what a QR Code or Barcode Scanner is? It’s basically those things from stores that scans your prices, and in this case, the “code” sends a message back to your phone. You can get a barcode scanner for free here:

ANDROID (opens in new window/tab)
iPHONE (opens in new window/tab)

*Standard messaging rates apply
**If you’re under 18 or don’t pay for your own phone, get your parents’ permission first!

You can also donate more (or less) than $10 using your credit or debit card through our Online Red Kettle.

Online Red Kettle