Thursday, November 14, 2024

The Salvation Army is expanding their Christmas assistance program. Here’s what it means

The Salvation Army Hampton Roads Area Command is expanding their Christmas assistance program to include children up to 14 years old. (Southside Daily/Courtesy of The Salvation Army Hampton Roads Area Command)
The Salvation Army Hampton Roads Area Command is expanding their Christmas assistance program to include children up to 14 years old. (Southside Daily/Courtesy of The Salvation Army Hampton Roads Area Command)

NORFOLK — The Salvation Army Hampton Roads Area Command is gearing up for the upcoming holiday season and expanding their annual Christmas assistance program.

In previous years, the Salvation Army’s Angel Tree Program, and in partnership with Toys for Tots, provided clothes and toys for children 11 and younger during the holiday season.

This year, they’re extending the qualifying age to include children up to 14 years old who were born before Dec 1, 2004, and estimate they’ll serve at least 1,500 to 2,000 more children than they had in the past.

“Because of the gracious giving nature of the Hampton Roads community and the success over the last several decades, we wanted to extend the program to 14 years of age in order to bring joy and hope to even more children and families this Christmas season,” said Melissa Medel, a spokeswoman for the Hampton Roads Area Command.

Children who qualify for assistance also receive a stocking and a food haul from Operation Blessing.

Families in Virginia Beach, Norfolk, and Chesapeake can apply Oct. 1 through 4 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at The Salvation Army’s Krock Center at 1401 Ballentine Blvd. in Norfolk, and Oct. 7 through 11 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Area Command office at 5525 Raby Road.

The organization is also looking for donations and volunteers who can help this major initiative go off without a hitch.

Medel said businesses or civic groups who’d like to sponsor ‘Angels’ this year should contact Seth Atkinson at Seth.Atkinson@uss.salvationarmy.org. 

Opportunities to donate and volunteer this holiday season can be found at salvationarmyhrva.org or by clicking here.

Here’s what’s needed to apply

To be considered for assistance, families should have these documents with them at the time of application:

  • Current government picture ID for parent/guardian.
  • Current year lease/mortgage statement or two current utility bills in the parent/guardian’s name.
  • Birth certificates for all children ages zero to 14 (must able to verify child’s age and must be born before Dec 1, 2004).
  • Proof of guardianship if the adult is not the parent of the child they’re applying for.
  • Current documentation of TANF, income-based housing and/or food stamps (SNAP cards will only be considered if they include the parent/guardian’s name on the front).

Applying families who don’t receive any of the above mentioned income pre-qualifier should bring:

  • Employment pay stubs — the last 30 days worth for all working household members.
    • If self-employed, bring 30 days of work receipts or 2018 W-2.
  • Proof of unemployment benefits, child support, housing assistance, Social Security, SSI and/or verification of any other types of household income.
  • Documentation from the local Employment Commission office showing the parent/guardian has not worked in Virginia in the last quarter (if $0 income is reported and no pre-qualifiers).

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