Thanks for giving a gift and lighting up so many lives
The Salvation Army in the UK and the Republic of Ireland would like to thank everyone who has donated gifts to our Christmas Present Appeal 2009.
This year thousands of people across the country have responded to The Salvation Army's appeal to ‘Give a Gift and Light up a Life'. Friends, members and volunteers at many of the 700 Salvation Army corps (churches) across the country have spent weeks gathering toys and presents, wrapping gifts and helping to distribute them to needy families and individuals in their communities.
The Christmas Present Appeal, which this year ran from 22 November to 18 December, is a fixture in many community calendars. Across the nation, members of the public are invited to donate a new, unwrapped gift to be given to people in need in their local communities.
Once again this year The Salvation Army joined forces with the health and beauty retailer Superdrug as the official national retail partner for the appeal, with more than 910 stores designated as official retail drop-off points across the UK from Aberdeen to Yeovil. Other shops and businesses were also part of the appeal in some towns and cities.
At Superdrug's own headquarters in Croydon, Surrey, staff collected gifts and toys which were donated to the local Salvation Army corps (church) and community centre.
Hundreds of staff at Harrods in central London also donated toys and gifts which will find their way to Christmas stockings in the capital. Cabin and ground staff from Qantas Airlines at Heathrow collected toys for local children and young people.
Six hundred motorcyclists turned out in force to support The Salvation Army's annual Motorcycle Toy Run in Manchester. This year, more than £3,000 was raised and scores of toys were donated towards helping put a smile on the faces of children and families across Manchester and local communities on Christmas Day.
The United Chiropractic Association, who boast a membership of hundreds of Chiropractors nationwide, offered Toys for Adjustment' during the week of 07 December 2009. The public were offered a free chiropractic adjustment in return for donation a toy to The Salvation Army's Christmas Present Appeal.
North-London company Ess Cargo Services Ltd made a tree-mendous donation to the Christmas Present Appeal of 90 Christmas trees, complete with decorations.
"We are so grateful to everyone who has donated gifts to The Salvation Army's Christmas Present Appeal this year," said Lieutenant-Colonel Marion Drew, Secretary for Communications.
"For many people these are difficult economic times and so we are extremely appreciative for all the present that have been donated. Please be assured that every gift will be appreciated by the children, young people, families and individuals who receive them. These presents really will light up lives during the festive period.
"In some parts of the country some donations have been down on previous years, but thanks to publicity through local media, we are hopefully going to be able to help everyone who needs assistance at this time of year.
"Although the appeal is coming to a close, if you still have gifts to donate please ring your local Salvation Army as we will continue to receive requests for help all the way up until Christmas. We wish you all a Happy Christmas!"
Support The Salvation Army's Christmas Present Appeal
Give a gift and light up a life!
 We need your help to spread the gift of Christmas to people who might otherwise have little or nothing under the tree on Christmas morning.
From Sunday 22 November until Friday 18 December The Salvation Army is asking the public to donate new unwrapped toys and gifts for children, teenagers and older people in need this Christmas.
These gifts will then be wrapped and distributed through our own local networks and via health visitors, social services and other local agencies as part of The Salvation Army's annual Christmas Present Appeal. Last year we distributed more than 150,000 gifts across the country.
 We are so grateful that Superdrug will again support The Salvation Army's Christmas Present Appeal. Over the years our partnership has brought joy to millions of people who would otherwise have had a bleak Christmas and this year we aim to continue this honoured tradition and try to ensure no one goes without at Christmas.
How the Christmas Present Appeal works
When you are Christmas shopping for friends and family, or even just to treat yourself, please buy an extra gift for the Christmas Present Appeal. Please remember, we can only accept new gifts as we believe every person deserves a new gift at Christmas.
Please don't wrap your gift! The Salvation Army needs to be able to see the gift to decide who to give it to
Take your donation to your local collection point, which will be your nearest Salvation Army centre or branch of Superdrug which has more than 910 stores designated as official retail drop-off points across the UK from Aberdeen to Yeovil. The Salvation Army is also working with local various businesses and organisations across the country so will have a drop-off point on nearly every high street in Britain.
The Salvation Army distributes the gifts to people in your local area, often with the help of social services, health visitors or other local agencies
Everyone can get involved!
Why not make The Salvation Army your organisation's Christmas charity and encourage staff to bring in toys and gifts for distribution in the local community. Schools can hold special assemblies, businesses can set up a Christmas gift tree in their offices, and local retailers can act as drop-off points.
Gift ideas for children and young people
Up to 3 years: soft toys, colourful and fun educational toys, cot mobiles, baby clothes, bath toys, CDs of suitable music and nursery rhymes
3-5 years: books, dolls and action figures, cars, lorries, soft toys, colourful and fun educational toys, CDs (music and nursery rhymes), DVDs, colouring sets, pencils, crayons, books, puzzles, dressing-up costumes
5-9 years: educational games and toys, stationery (colouring sets, pencils, crayons, school sets), CDs and family-friendly DVDs, books, puzzles, crosswords, skateboards, sports equipment and clothing
9-12 years: games and toys, sports equipment and clothing, stationery, CDs, DVDs, books, T-shirts, hair ornaments, gloves, scarves, hats
13-16 years: sports equipment and clothing, CDs, DVDs, books, toiletries (please try to ensure non-allergenic ingredients if possible), gloves, scarves, hats and other fashion accessories
Gift ideas for older people
Toiletries (non-allergenic ingredients are advisable) including bubble bath, talc, aftershave lotion, perfume
Scarves, hats, socks, bedsocks, hosiery, handkerchiefs, ties
Diaries and calendars, notecards, writing paper and pens
Books, magazines, puzzle books, jigsaws, sudoku and crossword books
Tea, coffee, speciality teas, jams, biscuits, chocolates
Photo frames, ornaments
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