Needed: Volunteers and gifts to help keep Christmas

On Wednesday and Thursday, Dec. 13 and 14, The Salvation Army will join the Food Bank of Alaska, U.S. Marine Corps Toys for Tots, Lutheran Social Services, United Way of Anchorage and many other social service organizations for one of Alaska's largest charity events, Neighborhood GIFT. The event, which will attract thousands of Anchorage residents, will take place at the Sullivan Arena and at St. Andrew Catholic Church in Eagle River.

This annual event is staffed by an army of community volunteers. These volunteers donate their time, energy, money and love to provide a full holiday meal including whole turkeys, stuffing, vegetables, plus children's Christmas toys to thousands of families in need here in Anchorage and Eagle River. Last year at GIFT more than 15,000 people were served and went home with the fixings of a great holiday meal or toys for their children or both.

In 2016, our volunteers and donors at GIFT helped 5,753 families who were facing a choice between a Christmas celebration or paying rent. Because of the community's generosity, families that otherwise would have spent Christmas pretending it is a day like any other could now afford to prepare themselves a well-stocked, nutritious, and fully donated meal. 7,767 children woke up on Christmas morning able to open presents that were provided by Neighborhood GIFT. Indeed, more than 15,500 toys and gifts were distributed during these two days.

The Salvation Army has spent weeks collecting toy donations through our Angel Tree program and other toy drives for Neighborhood GIFT, but sadly we are extremely low and do not have enough donations to provide what will be needed this year. Especially in short supply are gifts for children ages 9-14.

It is an unfortunate reality that we will never be equipped to help everyone who needs it, but this year it seems that Anchorage is being hit by hard economic times. There are more people than ever who need help during the upcoming Christmas holiday.

In 2016, The Salvation Army was blessed to have the help of 1,220 volunteers at GIFT who gave a combined 3,941 volunteer hours over two days.  It's only because of the kindness of our volunteers that we are able to provide some holiday relief for Anchorage families that need a hand.

We are desperately short of volunteers this year, and we are in dire need of toys and gifts for ages 9-14 by this Tuesday.

Please, go to volunteer.salvationarmy.org and sign up to volunteer and visit alaska.salvationarmy.org to find the many locations where you can drop off new, unwrapped toys to be donated to Neighborhood GIFT.

All over town you can find Angel Trees sponsored by Wells Fargo, Bass Pro Shops, Carrs, GCI, Sears Mall, Denny's, Chugach Electric Assoc. and scores more generous Alaska businesses and agencies. Pick a tag from a tree and bring some cheer to a child who needs it this year. You can also find toy and gift collection boxes at participating Walmart and Fred Meyer stores across Anchorage.

The Salvation Army, Lutheran Social Services, Food Bank of Alaska and all our partner agencies will be at the Sullivan Arena this Wednesday and Thursday. We'd love to see more Alaskans come together in this time of need and join us as we encourage our neighbors during these trying times.

There is always someone in need, but there is also always a way to help.

Thank you for helping us help others.

Merry Christmas.

Maj. Mike Dickinson is divisional commander for The Salvation Army Alaska.

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