The Salvation Army Free Christmas Dinner

The San Bernardino Salvation Army Corp (www.salvationarmyusa.org) invites everyone to join them at two events to celebrate Christmas. The first of these is a Christmas Eve Service, 6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 24. Then it will serve a Christmas Dinner from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Christmas Day. Both events will take place at the San Bernardino Corps’ new location, 2626 Pacific Avenue in San Bernardino. “We love San Bernardino and The Salvation Army has served its people since first opening the San Bernardino Citadel Corps in 1887,” Major Daniel Henderson. “Just as much today as ever, Jesus Christ loves them. In the Christmas story, we will explain how Christ showed his love by coming to live among us more than 2,000 years ago.” The Christmas Eve Service and Christmas Dinner follow a busy season of charitable activity for the San Bernardino Salvation Army Corps. Even before Thanksgiving, it began its annual “Red Kettle” campaign, during which bell ringers were stationed throughout San Bernardino, Highland, Fontana, Rialto, Colton and Bloomington. These bell-ringers collected cash donations to help with The Salvation Army’s holiday and year-round programs. On Thanksgiving Day, the San Bernardino Corps, and many other Corps in the Inland Empire hosted Thanksgiving dinners. The San Bernardino Corps has served as many as 800 people in years past. The day after Thanksgiving, the San Bernardino Corps of the Salvation Army set up “Angel Giving Trees” at Inland Center Mall and at the San Bernardino Wal-Mart, with the Christmas wishes of needy children. Other Corps also were collecting toys for children in their areas, either with their own holiday “Angel Giving Trees” at local shopping centers, or by accepting donations at the Corps offices. The week before Christmas, volunteers will assemble holiday gift baskets and present them to selected needy families. The gift baskets will include non-perishable food, and gift certificates they can use at local grocery stores. The families with children will also receive toys at this distribution. Other Salvation Army Corps in the Inland Empire also have plans for Christmas and New Year’s. The Hemet Corps, located at 340 S. Palm Ave. in Hemet, will celebrate the season with a Christmas play during its regular service, 11 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 20. It will serve a Christmas dinner to Hemet area homeless people, 3 p.m. Monday, Dec. 21. Hemet Corps also is planning a candlelight Christmas eve 6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 24. On New Year’s Eve, Thursday, Dec. 31, it will host a New Year’s Eve party for all ages from 8 p.m. to midnight. The Redlands Corps, 838 Alta. St, will host a Christmas Eve Dinner for “anyone and everyone” on Thursday, Dec. 24 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. The Salvation Army may be able to provide emergency services including food; lodging for homeless or displaced families; clothing and furniture; assistance with rent or mortgage and transportation when funds are available. The Salvation Army Team Emergency Radio Network (SATERN) assists rescue workers and evacuees in such disasters as fires. The Salvation Army is an evangelical part of the Universal Christian Church, and also offers evangelical programs for boys, girls and adults. One of the largest charitable and international service organizations in the world, The Salvation Army has been in existence since 1865 and in San Bernardino since 1887, supporting those in need without discrimination. Donations may always be made online at www.salvationarmyusa.org or by calling 1-(800)-SAL-ARMY. Our local number is (909) 888-1336.