Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Arizona’s Family Christmas Angel program has not had the same level of participation as years past. To help increase Angel adoptions in 2020, and help ensure that no child is left without a gift on Christmas morning, AZFamily hosted an emergency drive-thru toy drive to collect toys and monetary donations. After our team saw this request for help, we hopped into our van and presented a $5,000 check to Arizona’s Family’s Ian Schwartz—who was dressed as a merry elf in red and green. While at the drive-thru toy drive, we were thrilled to see the pile of toys grow as numerous valley residents brought more toys.
How You Can Adopt or Donate to Benefit an Arizona Christmas Angel
Every year Christmas Angel gives gifts to more than 52,000 Arizona children in need. If you would like to help bring cheer to an Arizona child in need, you have until December 23 to take a tag from a Christmas Angel tree found in malls across the Phoenix Valley. You can also adopt an angel virtually by going to the Salvation Army’s website.
The Salvation Army shared this list of items especially needed for the kids. They also request that you do not wrap the gifts before dropping them off.
- Legos for boys and girls
- Earphones
- Arts and crafts sets
- Hair accessories for girls
- Barbies
- Soccer balls, basketballs, and other sports equipment
- Scooters
- Baby toys
You can also support the Salvation Army’s humanitarian efforts outside of the Christmas Angel program by making an online donation at the Salvation Army’s website.
Questions? Please contact the Salvation Army directly by calling 602-267-4100, or you can connect on their website.
Photos from the 2020 Arizona’s Family Christmas Angel drive-thru toy drive:
