Rochester, MN – The Rochester Salvation Army has launched its annual Toy & Joy Shop registration, offering Olmsted County families a chance to receive Christmas gifts for their children. Applications opened on Monday, November 2, and will remain available through December 14.
How the program works
Qualified families can shop for gifts during a two‑day, in‑person event at the Salvation Army’s Rochester location on December 16 and 17. Unlike “adopt‑a‑family” models, the Rochester program lets parents choose the items they want for their own children, ensuring each child receives gifts that match their wishes.
“Here in Rochester, rather than doing an adopt‑a‑family style event, we set up all the donated gifts so that families get to choose the gifts they want to give their children,” said Major Randy Hellstrom, Corps Officer for the Salvation Army in Rochester. “Every gift people donate goes to a child right here in this community.”
Eligibility and registration
Families must provide proof of household income, proof of residency in Olmsted County, and identification for each child to verify they are 18 years old or younger. All documents can be photographed and uploaded through the online application on the Salvation Army Angel Tree website.
For those needing assistance with the application, the Salvation Army’s social services team can be reached at 507‑288‑3663.
Volunteer and donation opportunities
The organization is also seeking volunteers to help staff the Toy & Joy Shop on the two shopping days. Interested individuals can sign up through the same online portal.
Community members can contribute gifts by using Angel Trees located at Walmart stores, the Sharing Tree at Apache Mall, or the Salvation Army’s Walmart gift registry.
About the Rochester Salvation Army
Serving Olmsted County for more than 130 years, the Rochester Salvation Army provides a range of services, including food assistance, housing and rental aid, and access to medical and dental care. Additional information about its holiday programs is available at RochesterSA.org.
Original reporting: News Talk 1340 KROC-AM – News and Talk – Rochester News Radio — read the source article.
