For more than four decades, The Salvation Army and Walmart have worked together to support families in need. Their annual Angel Tree program remains one of the most recognized holiday initiatives in the country. The program helps provide new clothing, toys, and essential items to more than one million children each year. The goal is to make sure every child experiences the joy and wonder of Christmas, regardless of their family’s financial circumstances.
How the Angel Tree Program Works
Children are enrolled through The Salvation Army and listed as “Angels,” each with a short wish list. Donors can then choose a tag from an in-store Angel Tree or select items online through Walmart’s Spark Good Registry. Gifts purchased online are shipped directly to the local Salvation Army. In-store shoppers can return unwrapped items to collection bins or deliver them to the address on the Angel tag.
Once collected The Salvation Army distributes the gifts to families so parents and caregivers can wrap the gifts, and place them under the tree themselves. The program’s design emphasizes dignity as much as assistance, giving families the chance to celebrate in a way that feels their own.
How to Participate
Shopping Online
Donors can browse wish lists from their local Salvation Army through Walmart’s Spark Good Registry. After adding items to the cart, Walmart ships them directly to the corresponding Salvation Army location. For those who prefer, items can also be dropped off at Walmart collection bins beginning November 15 or delivered to a local Salvation Army office.
Shopping In-Store
Angel Tree displays are located in select Walmart stores across New Hampshire, with new locations added weekly. After selecting an Angel tag, donors shop for the items listed and return the unwrapped gifts to the in-store collection bin or the Salvation Army address provided.
Participating Walmart locations across New Hampshire are available through The Salvation Army’s Angel Tree locator.
Shop the Online Registry
Current registry activity offers a snapshot of community need across the state:
Concord, NH – The Salvation Army Angel Tree Program
7 purchased | 481 still needed
Wishlist examples: sports equipment, bikes, board games
Manchester, NH – Christmas Angel Tree Campaign
80 purchased | 3,172 still needed
Wishlist examples: art supplies, books, stuffed animals
Laconia, NH – Angel Tree
19 purchased | 1,499 still needed
Wishlist examples: electronics, baby supplies and toys, Funko Pop figures
Nashua, NH – Angel Tree
26 purchased | 29 still needed
Wishlist examples: Lego sets, slime kits, makeup
These numbers show how varied the need is from community to community, and how even a single purchase can help close the gap.
Last Year’s Campaign Results
The 2024 Angel Tree season saw significant participation nationwide:
213,056 Angels adopted
927,642 in-kind donations
$257,312 in registry gifts
These totals reflect broad public support, but the demand continues to grow.
The Broader Work of The Salvation Army
While Angel Tree is a major holiday initiative, it represents only one part of the organization’s work. Last year, the organization provided basic social-service assistance to more than 11.6 million families and individuals and served over 183 million meals through food pantries, meal programs, and mobile canteens. Its shelters supplied more than 10 million nights of safe lodging, while 192 adult and senior centers offered community connection and enrichment. More than 300,000 people received disaster-relief support, and over 1.5 million households were helped with rent, heat, or utility bills. In addition, more than 151,000 individuals accessed substance-abuse rehabilitation services. Together, these efforts highlight the scale of ongoing need and the impact donor support has throughout the year.
Why Angel Tree Matters
For many families, the holiday season magnifies financial strain. The Angel Tree program helps fill specific gaps by providing gifts chosen with care for individual children. Whether it’s a bike, a book, or a warm coat, each donation ensures a child feels remembered and valued during a season that can otherwise be difficult.
Even one or two items can make a meaningful difference for a child who might otherwise go without. As needs across New Hampshire continue to outpace contributions, early participation has a real impact on how many families the program can reach.
If you would like to learn more about the Angel Tree program, visit www.salvationarmyusa.org.
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