NORFOLK, Va. — The Salvation Army is accepting applications for 2022 Christmas Assistance to help Hampton Roads families in need this holiday season.
In this program, children between birth and 12 years old will get toys and could get Angel Tree gifts and/or stockings.
It's a partnership between The Salvation Army, 13News Now, Joy Fund, MyTVZ, and the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves Toys for Tots.
People who live in Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, and Portsmouth can submit an application until Oct. 7. Families who are facing economic hardships or household crises and have children between birth and 12 years old are eligible.
Part of the application is a wish list where people can list three toys per child. This will be used to direct sponsors and staff when picking out toys.
The Salvation Army’s Development Director Wendy Voliva said her team understands some families might need a little extra help buying holiday gifts and this program is a resource to help.
“Who wants to see a child wake up on Christmas morning without anything to open? That’s the sad reality. If we’re not here to help, who will?” Voliva asked.
She said applications for this year’s Christmas assistance program are already higher than last year and that number keeps climbing.
“We currently have 2,571 families signed up for Christmas Assistance/Angel Tree, the program. And we’re getting about 100 applications a day coming, at this point," Voliva said.
Area commander, Major Donald Dohmann said the program is for families who are struggling to make ends meet.
“The Christmas Assistant program is really to help alleviate some of those expenses," Dohmann explained. "So that families don’t have to worry about, ‘Do I pay utilities? Do I fall behind on utilities so I can provide toys or clothing for my child during Christmas?’”
Dohmann said more families are relying on the Salvation Army for help this year and rising inflation isn’t making things easier.
“They’re having to pay a lot more at every turn, whether it be gas, cost of living, rent, utilities, food costs, clothing costs... we’re all seeing it," he said.
Voliva said something similar, noting officials at the Salvation Army's food pantries and rental assistance program are seeing more people come in for help.
“The pandemic kind of leveled out a little bit with things. Some of the stimulus money helped and some of the unemployment money helped. But as we sort of turned the corner from the pandemic into the next year, we started to see the needs arise," Voliva said. "And now with inflation and the economy on everybody’s mind, the need is rising, quicker.”
The organization will give out the Christmas Assistance gifts at a single distribution site between Dec. 12 and 16.
For a list of requirements and to apply for assistance, visit The Salvation Army's website.