Salvation Army launches its annual Christmas Present Appeal in Sheffield
The Salvation Army is calling on the community in Sheffield to share hope this Christmas by donating new toys to its Present Appeal to help make sure no child goes without a gift on Christmas Day.
Every year Salvation Army churches ask people to donate new toys and gifts for children whose families are already making impossible choices between food, heating, and bills.
Last year, thanks to the generosity of local people and businesses The Salvation Army across Sheffield distributed gifts to hundreds of children, as well as vouchers and food parcels, with the church and charity fearing the relentless increase in the cost of living will mean more people need help this year.
Sheffield Hillsborough Salvation Army leader Lt Colonel Goff Payne said: “This Christmas families are wondering how they’ll get through the week. Our Christmas Present Appeal is an opportunity for people in our community to embrace the spirit of Christmas and give to families and individuals who have next to nothing.
“Christmas is meant to be a time of joy and togetherness, but for the people who are already struggling to put food on the table or heat their homes, it can be incredibly stressful and isolating.
“We believe every child deserves to experience joy on Christmas morning. We are always overwhelmed by the generosity of the public in supporting our appeal each year, and hope the good people of Sheffield can help us again to make sure every child wakes up on Christmas Day with a smile on their face.”
The church will be collecting donations of new unwrapped toys until Friday, December 11. Donations can be dropped at The Hillsborough Tabernacle church, Proctor Place, Hillsborough, S6 4HF, or contact Hillsborough Salvation Army directly to arrange a drop off https://www.salvationarmy.org.uk/sheffield-hillsborough
Sheffield Citadel Salvation Army in Psalter Lane will also be collecting toys at its Toy Service on Sunday, December 6, at 10.30am.
The Salvation Army will sort and distribute the gifts to children and families in the area through local groups, schools and social services.
Gifts can include anything from educational toys, baby clothes, bath toys, books, including learn to read books (for babies and toddlers) to dolls and action figures, sports equipment and clothing, toiletries (please try to ensure non-allergic ingredients if possible), gloves, scarves, hats, T-shirts, hair accessories and gift vouchers for older children.