South Salt Lake makes it easy to offer a helping hand for the holidays. The city is running two programs to help people, families and pets have a merry Christmas and are asking residents to pitch in. 

Season of Sharing

Many people struggle to make ends meet, let alone have enough money to provide Christmas for their families. Season of Sharing is a collaboration between Promise SSL, SSL Youth City Council and SSL Police Athletics and Activities League to supply gifts for more than 50 families in the area.

“We work in a really diverse community and it’s always great to see the community come together to support their neighbors, especially those in high need,” said Promise SSL Deputy Director Edward Lopez. “We have seen families who don’t have as much disposable income to be able to provide their family with an extra special season.”

Organizations, churches, families and neighbors can support Season of Sharing by holding drives for new toys, clothing and other gifts, or through monetary donations. All items must be brought to the Promise SSL office at SSL City Hall (220 E. Morris Ave.) by Tuesday, Dec. 10. This will give volunteers time to shop, organize and deliver gifts to families.

The Season of Sharing wish list includes toys and games, winter clothing, jewelry, books, earbuds, kitchenware, stocking stuffers, gift cards, diapers, personal hygiene products and toiletries. 

“It’s so fun to be able to see the community come together and just help each other,” Lopez said. “It’s good to see those families getting not only just stuff that they need, like laundry detergent, toilet paper and cleaning supplies but in addition to that, also extra items they wouldn't be able to get for themselves.”

Angel Paw Tree

SSL Animal Services is hosting its Angel Paw Tree, allowing residents to provide toys, treats, cleaning supplies, beds, blankets and food to animals staying at the shelter. 

Located at 2274 S. 600 West, SSL Animal Services has a Christmas tree decorated with ornaments made with pictures of dogs and cats that have stayed in the shelter. On the back is a gift idea from the shelter’s wish list that people can buy and donate to the facility. There’s also a QR code on each ornament that goes to the shelter’s Amazon wish list. 

“[The shelter] is city-funded and so we only have the budget for certain things. Donations really help us get through the year,” said Rory Jenkins, kennel technician at the shelter. “I think in the last couple of months, we’ve hit the end of the donations we got last year. We’re reaching the end of our box of toys for the dogs and starting to hit the end of what treats we have. So it does really keep us going throughout the year.”

The Angel Paw Tree program will run through December. Residents can also adopt a dog or cat from the shelter for less than $80. Pets are spayed or neutered (or owners are given a voucher for the procedure) and come with current vaccinations and microchips. Volunteers are also needed to interact with the pets at the shelter.

“If they want to be regular volunteers, they’re welcome to fill out an application, and then they can even take dogs on walks outside the shelter,” Jenkins said. 

For more information on both programs, visit SSLC.gov.