NOTN- The Salvation Army in Juneau is gearing up for a busy holiday season that includes Christmas food boxes, and the annual Angel Tree and Red Kettle programs.

Major Peter Janousek said the organization is continuing its Angel Tree program, which provides gifts to children from families who may be struggling this holiday season.

“The Angel Tree program is designed for families with low income or those who struggle to get gifts for their children.” Said Janousek.

Parents can apply online at saangeltree.org. Community members can pick up anonymous gift tags at Fred Meyer, Western Auto Marine, First Bank’s valley branch and the Mendenhall Mall, then return purchased items to the drop sites.

Those gifts will be distributed Dec. 20.

Holiday food boxes will also be available, containing a full Christmas dinner including ham or turkey.

“Fair to say that I’m not American. We came from the Czech Republic, so our traditional dinner is absolutely different.” Said Janousek, ” It is in partnership with Women of the Moose Club, it’s a thing which has been done many years. And last year, when I saw it for the first time, I was amazed. It’s like very well oiled machine. The distribution day is amazing, when people come, and they can collect all those things, and they are thankful, it’s great.”

The Salvation Army is also seeking volunteers for its Red Kettle bell-ringing campaign, which runs starting today until December 24, at stores throughout Juneau, including Foodland, Safeway, Fred Meyer and Super Bear.

“People can register to ring at the web page, which is registertoring.com, and they just need to put Juneau, and then they will see the schedule for all those places, and they can find an empty spot. Sign up for 2,4,6, or 8, hour shifts if they want to, and we will do all the rest.” Janousek said.

The organization emphasized that these initiatives rely on the generosity and volunteerism of the local Juneau community to make the holidays brighter for everyone.