Thank you for your interest in Angel Tree

Each year, the Angel Tree program provides gifts for more than 1,000 Manatee County children whose parents struggle to buy Christmas presents. This program would not be successful without the generosity of those who host the trees and those who select a child’s name and purchase presents.

How it works

Delivery of Angel Trees to community host sites happens in late October. Friends and patrons of the host sites pull an Angel from the tree, which identifies a specific child and their wishes for Christmas. Gifts should be returned to the Angel tree, so they can be picked up by The Salvation Army after Thanksgiving. Families of the Angels receive items the week before Christmas.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I host an Angel Tree at my business/club/church/office?

• Yes, to get started, call 941-748-5110.

What is involved with hosting a tree?

• The Salvation Army delivers the tree and Angel tags to your location. Once your tree arrives, inform your friends, patrons, club members or employees that they may select an Angel. The Salvation Army collects all of the trees and presents after Thanksgiving.

How many Angel tags will be on my Angel Tree?

• You may chose this based on the number of Angel wishes you believe your team can support.

What should donors purchase for their Angel?

• Each Angel tag includes a short wish list to use as a guide. However, the buyer decides what to purchase. We request new, unused items.

Is there anything that donors should avoid?

• Yes, we prefer non-violent gifts – no weapons. We also ask donors to refrain from purchasing bikes and gift cards.

Should donated gifts be wrapped?

• No. While we are very grateful for all of the gifts donated, we also respect that many parents enjoy wrapping gifts for their children.

How much money should I spend?

• We request that gifts not exceed $50. If different people adopt siblings, there is equality among gifts.

What is a Forgotten Angel?

• With so many families facing economic challenges, more and more families register their children. Despite our best efforts and the generosity of our community supporters, we average 400 Angels not selected from an Angel Tree. Gifts donated for a Forgotten Angel stock our toy shop and fill the wishes of these children.

How can I support the Forgotten Angels?

• Instead of hosting an Angel Tree, your group can collect gifts for the Forgotten Angels Toy Shop. Gifts may include toddler toys to older child games. We need for both genders and in different age ranges.

Important Angel Tree Dates

• October 15 – Delivery of Angel Trees to host sites begins
• November 19 – Pick up of Angel Trees and gifts from host site begins
• November 30 – Last day to pick up Angel Trees and gifts from host sites

Help Make Someone’s Christmas Memorable

Each holiday season, The Salvation Army in Manatee County operates the Adopt-A-Family to assist local, qualified, families in need with holiday presents for children ages 12 and under. Last year, we served 2,620 children through these two programs.

How it works

To participate in the Adopt-A-Family program, register online or contact the program, coordinator. Once registered, you will receive a request form that will help match you to a family in need. You can select the number of children and/or the age ranges you prefer to adopt. You will receive basic information on the children in the family to help guide you when you make your gift purchases.

Finally, you will be given detailed information on when and where to drop off your presents.

More questions? Please feel free to browse our list of frequently asked questions or call 941-748-5110 for more information.

Make a Donation to the Adopt-A-Family program

Frequently Asked Questions

How much money should I spend?

• You decide what budget will work for you or your group and then determine if it is best to adopt a family with one child, a small family or a larger family. We request that all gifts are new and that the total of gifts per child does not exceed $50.

What type of items should I purchase?

• We supply you with the child’s name, gender, race, clothing and shoe sizes, as well as three gift wishes. You may purchase whatever you wish; we ask that you provide a minimum of 3 new gifts for each child you adopt. We discourage bikes. expensive video games and gift cards.

Should I wrap the gifts?

• No, gifts should be unwrapped for several reasons. We want to ensure gifts are new and unused, safe (no knives, guns or violent toys, please), and age/gender appropriate (G and PG-rated movies, for example). Also, this gives the parent(s) the enjoyment of wrapping gifts for their child(ren).

Do I need to purchase gifts for the parent(s) in the program?

• No, this is not necessary.

What if I am unable to get out and shop, but still want to adopt?

• You can still adopt a family through a monetary donation and we will be happy to do the shopping for you.

Can I meet the family I adopt?

• The Salvation Army respects the privacy of the families we serve. Last names, addresses and phone numbers are strictly confidential.

What if I don’t want to adopt a family, but still want to help?

• There are several ways you can help even if you elect not to adopt a family. Donations of new toys and clothing are always welcome for our toy shop. These gifts are used to fulfill the wishes of children who do not get adopted.

Can I donate my time?

• Volunteers are always welcome! If you have a few hours to donate, we encourage you to learn more about the volunteer opportunities we have available. Simply register to volunteer and attend a brief orientation.

Donations help us meet the basic needs of food and shelter.  We provide a FREE community dinner 365 nights each year – for some, this is the only nutritious meal they have each day.  We also operate an emergency shelter, which is open 365 nights/year.  Your donation helps us Do the Most Good.

Cash donations are accepted at our office, located at 1204 14th Street West in Bradenton.  In addition, we have holiday kettles and bell ringers at all Manatee County Publix and Walmart stores, as well as several other retail establishments, in November and December.

You may mail a check to:  The Salvation Army, 1204 14th Street West, Bradenton, FL 34205

Donate online by clicking here.

Join our Bed & Bread Club to make automatic monthly, quarterly or annual contributions to The Salvation Army.  For more information on the Bed & Bread Club, contact Kelly French at 941-757-5773 or kelly.french@uss.salvationarmy.org.  You can also click here to join the Bed & Bread Club.

The Salvation Army is a 501 (c)(3) tax-exempt organization and gifts are tax deductible to the full extent of the law.

Cleaning out your closets? Moving? Handling a loved one’s estate? Maybe, your children are outgrowing their clothing, shoes or toys. Not sure what to do with all these items?

For those things that have lost their usefulness in your home, but are still in good and usable condition, you can donate goods to The Salvation Army. We have two ways of using these items. First, you can designate that they be used by clients we serve in our shelters. We advise calling first to make sure it is something we can accept. For example, right now, we need bath towels and wash cloths for our Women and Children’s Shelter.

Second, your donated goods can be sent to one of our Salvation Army Family Stores. Funds raised at our resale stores support the Adult Rehabilitation Center. You can drop off small items at our administrative office during business hours. You can also schedule a pickup for larger items, such as furniture, by clicking here or calling 1-800-SA-Truck.

Fine print: Currently, the closest Salvation Army Family Store is located at 2280 17th Street in Sarasota.

Angel Tree and Adopt-A-Family

Every day, hard working families in our community struggle to make ends meet. With rents/mortgages, car payments, medical bills, rising grocery costs, child care and educational expenses, families have to stretch every penny. Then, along come the holidays and it is time to buy presents. For these families with children ages 14 and younger, the Angel Tree and Adopt-A-Family programs can aid with that burden. The Salvation Army, through these two programs, connects donors who want to help to families who need it. Consider adopting a single child or an entire family this holiday season.

What is the difference between Angel Tree and Adopt-A-Family?
The Angel Tree program allows donors to buy new presents for a single child, while with Adopt-A-Family, the donor takes the responsibility to buy new gifts for the entire family.

A planned gift, through your will, estate, life insurance or annuity will help The Salvation Army sustain and serve future generations.

The Salvation Army relies on the generosity of donations and foundation grants to meet the basic needs of our programs and services. Often, how a gift is made can have dramatic impact on helping meet a donor’s long and short-term objectives.

Thanks to our government’s ongoing encouragement of the private support of charities, most gifts to a qualified charitable organization come with tax benefits. However, in many situations it is possible to receive more than just a charitable income tax deduction.

Certain types of donations allow donors to bypass capital gains taxes on appreciated assets, significantly reduce estate taxes and establish a new source of income for yourself and your family.

The professionals in our Office of Planned Giving help you match your gift with your objectives. They provide with no obligation, confidential information that will ensure that your gift – whether cash, insurance, stock, property or a gift in trust – is timed to meet your objectives and deliver maximum value.

Your support is greatly appreciated and we are available to provide you with information and assistance in this important matter. If you need wording to include The Salvation Army in your estate plans, creating a life income for you and your loved ones, or in updating or creating your estate plans, please do not hesitate to contact Mark Romano toll free at 800-758-2769.