As last-minute shoppers make visits to the mall to check off everything on their Christmas lists, some Delaware area nonprofits and charities are helping those less fortunate to dress their Christmas trees with presents.
Members of the Salvation Army of Delaware for the last few weeks have set up “Angel Trees” at Christiana Mall and other locations to help provide free toys for families in need, said Major Tim Sheehan, the Delaware State Coordinator at The Salvation Army.
“Anyone can go to the mall and they can select a tag with a child’s name, age and what their wish is and they can purchase that gift and bring it back to the mall with a tag attached to it and put it in the drop boxes,” said Sheehan, adding that additional locations statewide include the Walmarts in Dover and Seaford.
The Angel Trees will be set up at the mall daily through Dec. 12., according to Sheehan.
For more information about the Angel Tree Program, contact Major Lisa Sheehan at (302)-472-0722. The program is also accepting monetary online donations at salvationarmy.org/delaware-command.
Here’s a list of some other local organizations that are seeking donations.
Toys for Tots in Delaware
This is also a statewide service. The U.S. Marines Corps is partnering with the Delaware Natural Resources and Environmental Control Police to collect new and unwrapped Christmas toys for boys and girls in local communities. According to a news release, toys can be accepted through Dec. 14 in Kent and Sussex Counties and through Dec. 7 in New Castle County.
Donations can be taken and dropped off at the following locations:
- All Delaware State Park offices statewide, including the Brandywine Zoo in Wilmington and the First State National Historical Park in New Castle County, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- DNREC Police office in Sussex County at 23530 Campbell Circle, Georgetown, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control’s Richardson & Robbins Building, 89 Kings Highway, Dover, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
21 festive events for you to ring in 2022 holiday season in Delaware
Sussex County government’s annual food drive
As part of its 39th “Caroling on the Circle” food drive, the Sussex County government invites residents to donate canned goods and sing Christmas carols on Dec. 7 in Georgetown. The event will be held regardless of rain or shine at 6:30 p.m. For more information, contact government offices at (302) 855-7700.
Holiday Toy Drive & Fun Benefiting Nemours Children’s Hospital
An annual toy drive benefiting Nemours Children’s Hospital patients will take place on Dec. 3, from 1 to 4 p.m., in Newark. The event, at Norma B. Hand-off Park, will accept new and unwrapped toy donations.
In addition to collecting toys, the event will feature free Holiday Crafts, face painting and pictures with Santa, among other activities, according to a Facebook post.
The Newark Police Department’s “Presents With Police”
The Newark Police Department, Newark PAL and Newark Parks and Recreation have partnered to put on a toy drive that intends to “brighten the holidays for families who may be in need of a little extra help,” according to a news release.
The event, touted as “Presents With Police,” is accepting new, unwrapped gifts that can be dropped off in the City of Newark municipal building lobby, 220 S. Main St. Donations will be accepted through Dec. 15 and pre-registration is required here.
Wilmington mayor’s annual toy drive
The city of Wilmington and Mayor Mike Purzycki will partner with over 15 nonprofits to distribute free toys to city children.
To participate, families must register by Dec. 6 at holidaytoydrive@wilmingtonde.gov. Donations of additional new, unopened and unwrapped toys can be taken through Dec. 8, located at the Louis L. Redding City County Building lobby, 800 North French Street.
“In 2021, we provided toys to more than 1,200 children across our city,” Purzycki said in a news release, “and we hope to match – if not exceed – that number this year.”
If you’d like to have your drive included in this list, please contact local reporter Cameron Goodnight at cgoodnight@delawareonline.com about the event, including specifically what is sought, who is sponsoring the drive and where drop-off points are located.
