It may not quite feel like Christmas yet, but it’s already time to spread cheer for one nonprofit organization. The Salvation Army of Pekin and Peoria held a joint kick-off for this year’s Tree of Lights campaign at Northwoods Mall on Monday,

Today marks the start of the Salvation Army’s annual Angel Tree program at Citizens National Bank.The Angel Tree program helps children in need receive Christmas gifts through people’s donations to the Salvation Army.

The nonprofit’s Red Kettle Campaign is returning Monday for its 134th year. Bellringers will be stationed at roughly 35 locations, including malls, Walmarts, Hobby Lobby stores and other businesses. Reckline says all money raised in Central Texas will stay local.

Within the four counties it serves, the Salvation Army has 1,000 angels that need to be fulfilled for children from the ages of newborn to 12.

The Salvation Army officially kicked off the 2024 Red Kettle Christmas Campaign at Wichita’s Naftzger Park Friday afternoon.

Angel Tree child adoptions for the Hattiesburg Salvation Army. “It’s the public pitching in to help those that are less fortunate,” Hattiesburg Salvation Army Captain Evelyn Thornhill said. “We try to get this information out to the public through various avenues to know that there are children in need of help.