Christmas in Boise
Over 6,000 people in the Boise area received help during the Christmas season, thanks to The Salvation Army Boise Corps’ Toy N Joy program:
“We had a tough time last year. I was unemployed and didn't know what to do about Christmas. My friend told me about Toys for Joy and I went and signed up. Thanks to that program, my boys had a very happy Christmas and, to me, that was the best gift I could have ever gotten. We are all doing well this year and plan to help a family in need this coming Christmas. Everything about that program is nothing short of a miracle and a blessing.” - Toy N Joy Recipient, Boise
Donating, collecting and distributing holiday cheer is a community wide effort with hundreds of groups and partners who make it possible. Over 50 area businesses hosted Angel Trees and a team of “elves” made weekly runs to pick up toys. It was a record-breaking year for Fred Meyer Stores and the 20th Annual Stuff the Bus Toy Drive with Valley Regional Transit, collecting over 9,000 toys to distribute to kids and families in need.
Volunteers from local businesses, service groups and church members transformed the Thrift Store into a magical toy shop. There, families who were struggling to make ends meet could put those cares aside for a moment and choose something special for their child for Christmas.
On Christmas morning, thousands of children who would have had nothing to open instead woke up to a gift under the tree; their parents received the gift of hope and joy as well.