'Breakfast With The Salvation Army' spotlights Christmas Toyland and generosity of donors to provide for families in need

As a single mom, Sally wasn't sure how she was going to afford toys for her three children this year, let alone food for their holiday meal. Then she heard about The Salvation Army's Angel Tree program and Christmas food boxes, so she was able to preregister as a qualified recipient and will receive both unwrapped toys and a box full of food thanks to the generosity of donors and supporters of The Salvation Army.

"It is our hope and desire to meet the needs of families who come to The Salvation Army during the holiday season seeking help with toys and food for their children," states Beverly Peterson, Fox Valley Regional Development Director, "and it's only through the generosity of others that we are able to provide Christmas joy to families in need."

As a thank you to community leaders, donors, supporters and volunteers of The Salvation Army, all four units serving McHenry, Kane and Kendall counties will host four separate breakfast events, before distribution begins, that will highlight their Christmas Toyland and provide a visual as to the generosity of donors from each community. The breakfasts are free, but reservations are required.

For more information about the events and to RSVP, visit the following websites:

• Breakfast with the Captain - McHenry County and Crystal Lake at the Christmas Open House at 8 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 12, at The Salvation Army Crystal Lake Corps Community Center, 290 W. Crystal Lake Ave., Crystal Lake. RSVP online at www.salarmycl.org or by calling 815-455-2769 by Friday, Dec. 8. Highlights include a special report on emergency disaster services "We Combat Natural Disasters with Acts of God': Telling Our Story: Serving Those In Need Throughout McHenry County" and "Behind the Scenes: A Tour of Christmas Distribution."

• Breakfast with the Captains - Elgin at the Christmas Open House at 7 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 19, at The Salvation Army Elgin Corps Community Center, 316 Douglas Ave. in Elgin. RSVP online at www.salarmyelgin.org by Saturday, Dec. 16. Highlights include: "Telling Our Story: Helping Those in Need in Elgin & Kane County," a tour of Christmas Toyland and Food Distribution; and a breakfast with coffee and sweet treats.

• Breakfast with the Lieutenant - Tri-Cities at the Christmas Open House at 7 a.m. Friday, Dec. 15, at The Salvation Army Tri-City Corps Community Center, 1710 S. 7th Ave., St. Charles. RSVP online at www.satricity.org by Tuesday, Dec. 12. Highlights include: a tour of the Christmas distribution of toys and food; "Telling Our Story: Doing the Most Good"; and a breakfast to-go sponsored by local vendors.

• Breakfast with the Captains - Aurora at the Christmas Open House at 7:30 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 20, at The Salvation Army Aurora Christmas headquarters, (formerly Nicole's Hallmark Store), 1981 W. Galena Blvd. in Aurora. RSVP online at www.salarmyaurora.org by Sunday, Dec. 17. Highlights include: "Telling Our Story: Helping Those in Need in Aurora"; a tour of Angel Tree Christmas Gift Program; and a breakfast of coffee and sweet treats.

For more information about each event, contact Beverly Peterson, Fox Valley Regional Development Director, at (815) 222-1773 or beverly_peterson@usc.salvationarmy.org.

Due to the shortfall in the number of days to ring this Christmas season, volunteers are needed to ring bells at the kettle sites throughout the Fox Valley through Saturday, Dec. 23. Individuals and groups can signup online at www.registertoring.com or by calling the following offices for assistance:

• St. Charles (serving St. Charles, Geneva, Batavia, Campton Hills and Wayne) - (630) 377-ARMY (2769);

• Elgin (serving northern Kane County) - (847) 741-2304;

• Aurora (serving southern Kane and Kendall counties) - (630) 897-7265;

• Crystal Lake (serving McHenry County) - (815) 455-ARMY (2769).

In 2015, The Salvation Army celebrated its 150th worldwide anniversary and 130 years of service in Chicago and the Fox Valley area. As one of the largest direct providers of social services in the state of Illinois, The Salvation Army operates more than 20 corps community centers in the Metropolitan division, including the Fox Valley area, offering after-school programs, recreational activities and music education, as well as disaster relief, shelter, meals, child care, senior services and more.