Operation Santa Shopping Kicks-Off at Walmart Tuesday

Sep 23, 2019 | by Lessa Peter

Shopping for youth takes place at Debarr Walmart

Anchorage, AK­­­ – The Salvation Army will host a shopping event to purchase toys for this year’s Operation Santa program at the DeBarr Walmart Store in Anchorage on Tuesday, September 24, from 10 to 11:30 AM. The Salvation Army and volunteers will be shopping and wrapping toys for up to 350 children in the rural Alaskan communities of Tuntutuliak and Napakiak. This is the second year that Alaska Walmart stores have contributed to support The Salvation Army’s role in Operation Santa.  

The Salvation Army is celebrating its 50th anniversary of partnership in the Operation Santa program. Annually, The Salvation Army, in partnership with the Alaska National Guard, Tastee Freez and others, visits select rural communities to provide gifts, sing carols, share ice cream sundaes with community members and provide children visits with Mr. and Mrs. Claus.

The event also provides an opportunity for organizations to give back and provide a joyful community experience for those participating. For many of the children in the rural communities visited, it is their first time visiting with Santa.

“We are so grateful for Walmart’s continuing support to bring children in rural Alaska a fun-filled Christmas experience to brighten their holidays,” said Major John Brackenbury, The Salvation Army’s Alaska Divisional Commander.

“Walmart is proud to participate again this year on Operation Santa at the Debarr Walmart,” said Walmart Store Manager, Mike Morris. “We are excited to partner with the Salvation Army for this great event focused on helping families in the local community to have the best Christmas.”

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About The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army, an evangelic part of the universal Christian church, supports those in need in His name without discrimination, offering spiritual encouragement and basic services to meet the needs of Alaskans in 18 communities. The Salvation Army has been caring for mind, body, spirit and soul of individuals, children and families in Alaska since 1898. In 2018, The Salvation Army served 347,439 meals, provided 71,175 bed nights, 22,740 toys and gifts and more than 20,620 clothing items helping more than 4,000 Alaskans monthly. For more information, please visit alaska.salvationarmy.org.

About Walmart
Walmart Inc. (NYSE: WMT) helps people around the world save money and live better - anytime and anywhere - in retail stores, online, and through their mobile devices. Each week, nearly 270 million customers and members visit our more than 11,700 stores under 65 banners in 28 countries and eCommerce websites. With fiscal year 2018 revenue of $500.3 billion, Walmart employs approximately 2.3 million associates worldwide. Walmart continues to be a leader in sustainability, corporate philanthropy and employment opportunity. Additional information about Walmart can be found by visiting http://corporate.walmart.com.