Be a part of the compassion and joy that defines Christmas in Regina with The Salvation Army. Together, we can create a Christmas that warms hearts and changes lives. Join us in spreading love, hope, and happiness to all this Christmas Season.
Christmas in Regina!
Christmas Assistance Program
For many families, Christmas is a time of togetherness and joy. However, it can also be a challenging season for those facing financial hardships. The Salvation Army’s Christmas Assistance program aims to ensure that every child wakes up to the magic of Christmas morning. Through your support, we provide gifts, food (in the form of a grocery gift card), and essential resources to families in need, making their holiday season brighter and more hopeful. Join us in making dreams come true and putting smiles on the faces of children and parents alike.
Gifts: Through our partnership with Rawlco Radio and the Santa’s Anonymous program, toy bins are placed around Regina from mid-November to mid-December. The community is encouraged to place new unwrapped toys in these bins. Every toy collected is used in our Toy Shop where parents and guardians are invited in to come pick a gift for their children.
Food: In the past, we used to hand out Food Hampers to families who registered. What we noticed is that the food provided didn’t align with dietary restrictions and cultural preferences. We want to ensure that families are being provided with the essentials then need to provide a wonderful Christmas meal for their family. We now provide those who register with grocery gift cards so they can get exactly what their family needs. Of course, this come with an added cost as we purchase these gift cards directly from grocery stores. We rely on the communities support to help fund these gift cards.
Our Impact in 2023: Last year, thanks to your support, we supported 1,800 families, providing a brighter Christmas for 4,400 children aged 12 and under.
Christmas Assistance
How can I help?
There are several ways that you and your family, group or organization can contribute to The Salvation Army’s Christmas Assistance program.
Go Toy Shopping: Visit your favourite store and purchase a new unwrapped toy for a child between the ages of 0 and 12 years. Then drop it in one of the Santa’s Anonymous barrels found at shopping malls and businesses around Regina during November and December.
(HINT: Toys for children aged 9-12 are often where donations fall short.)
Donate a gift card:
Purchase a Toy gift card for any store that sells toys and we’ll do the shopping for you.
Purchase a Grocery gift card at any local Grocery Store (preference given to Freshco and Superstore).
Gift cards can be dropped off at The Salvation Army Haven of Hope
Give a financial gift
Your monetary donation will help us provide families with grocery gift cards allowing them the freedom to choose food items that align with their dietary needs and cultural preferences for Christmas Dinner. Tax deductible receipts are available for monetary donations of $20 or more.
Make it a Team Effort
Gather your family, some friends, or the office team and pool your funds to help an entire family. Invite group participants to purchase new unwrapped toys and/or make financial contributions.
If you host a gathering to collect your contributions, snap a pic and send it to us at ReginaHoH.Christmas@salvationarmy.ca
Note: Due to the the complexities of CRA regulations for Gift in Kind (GIK) receipts we will no longer be issuing GIK receipts for toys and gift cards as we have done with the Adopt a Family program in the past. However, tax deductible receipts are still available for monetary donations of $20 or more.
Suggested amounts by family size (including Christmas Dinner and Children’s Gifts)
NOTE: These are ONLY suggestions. We accept and appreciate contributions of any amount.
Family of 2: $200.00
Family of 3: $250.00
Family of 4: $300.00
Family of 5: $350.00
Family of 6: $400.00
Family of 7: $450.00
Family of 8: $500.00
Thank-you for your interest in helping others at Christmas
Christmas Kettles
Christmas Kettles
Step into the world of giving and make a difference in your community. Our iconic red kettles, stand as beacons of hope during the Christmas season. As you hear the cheerful chimes of bells, you can contribute to change lives. Every donation, no matter the size, fuels our mission to assist those in need right here in Regina year round. Whether it’s a warm meal for a hungry family, or vital support for those facing hardship, your contribution brings warmth and comfort to those who need it most.
Join us during the holiday season and make a difference standing on the Christmas kettles! There is a special kind of joy that comes from giving back to those in need, and volunteering with Haven of Hope Ministries is a wonderful opportunity to do just that. By standing on the red Christmas kettles, you become a beacon of hope, raising awareness and funds that directly impact the lives of individuals and families facing difficult circumstances. Step up, lend a helping hand, and experience the joy that comes from selflessly serving others.
You will see our Christmas Kettles out around Regina from mid-November to Christmas Eve.
ALL MONEY DONATED IN REGINA, STAYS IN REGINA
AND DIRECTLY SUPPORTS OUR COMMUNITY PROGRAMS AND SERVICES
THROUGH HAVEN OF HOPE MINISTRIES
For more information on Christmas Kettles or to book a shift, click here
Santa Shuffle
Santa Shuffle
The Santa Shuffle is a fun and spirited event where hundreds of Santas, elves, and reindeer come together to raise funds for those in need during the holiday season. Whether you run, walk, or cheer from the sidelines, it’s a joyful event that embodies the holiday spirit.
Adopt a Family
The Adopt a Family Program has come to an end.
In an effort to ensure that The Salvation Army Haven of Hope continues to serve those in our community who rely on us with the utmost dignity, the decision to retire the Adopt a Family program in the Regina area was made in 2022.
We will continue to provide support to families in need through a “Toy Shop” format that was first introduced in 2021. This format allows parents of the families who register for Christmas assistance to personally select gifts for their children at no cost.
As the diverse needs of our community continue to evolve, families will also now receive a gift card for a local grocery store to purchase items for Christmas Dinner, rather than a pre-packaged food hamper. This will give every family the freedom to select foods that align with their own personal choices, dietary needs and cultural preferences.
We are grateful to all of the individual and corporate donors and partners who have been such a critical part of the Adopt a Family program – some for many years! We could not have provided this program without this support and we are hopeful that our previous Adopt a Family donors will continue to be an important part of helping us to help others by choosing to continue to contribute in other ways.
If you are looking for ways to support our efforts in providing Christmas Assistance to almost 2000 families, please review the Christmas Assistance details above