Christmas Toy Sign-Ups in San Antonio: Angel Tree and Toys for Tots, by ZIP Code

Two big programs give free Christmas toys to San Antonio kids: Angel Tree (The Salvation Army) and Toys for Tots (the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve). Both sign families up by ZIP code — the office or campaign that serves your home address is the one that takes your application. There is no single national sign-up and no single national deadline.

Here is exactly how each one works, what to bring, and what to do today.

First, the honest timing news

San Antonio’s Angel Tree held its main in-person sign-up week on September 14–18, 2026. That week has ended. Do not drive to a Salvation Army office expecting to register in person without calling first.

You still have real options, and they are below. Start with the online application and a phone call today.

Angel Tree (The Salvation Army) — children ages 0–12

How to apply now

1. Apply online by ZIP code. Go to saangeltree.org and enter your ZIP code. The site routes you to the Angel Tree that serves your address. If it says your area is not served by the website, call the number below — some families apply a different way.
2. Call with questions or to ask about remaining spots: (210) 352-2000 (Salvation Army San Antonio Area Command).
3. Local program page: Salvation Army San Antonio — Angel Tree.

Where in-person sign-up was held (for reference)

• Mission Corps — 3802 SW Military Drive, San Antonio, TX 78211
• Center of Hope Corps — 521 W. Elmira Street, San Antonio, TX 78212

Hours during the sign-up week were Tuesday & Thursday 9:00 AM–7:00 PM and Monday, Wednesday & Friday 9:00 AM–4:00 PM. One adult signs up for the whole family — children do not need to come — and waits could be over 2 hours, so bring every document the first time.

Toys for Tots (Marine Corps Reserve) — apply with your local campaign

Toys for Tots does not take one national application. You apply with the local campaign that serves your county, and that campaign sets its own dates and rules.

1. Go to toysfortots.org and tap Request a Toy — or use the official Find Your Local Campaign page.
2. Pick Texas, then Bexar County / San Antonio. You will land on the San Antonio campaign’s own site.
3. Read that page’s dates and rules carefully and apply there. The San Antonio campaign posts its own deadline on its own page — check it the day you apply, because it is set locally and can fill up.
4. After you apply, watch your email, including your spam folder. The local coordinator contacts you with next steps.

Documents to bring — the exact checklist

Have these ready before you apply for either program. This is the list from The Salvation Army’s own San Antonio sign-up materials and application site:

• ✅ Photo ID for the parent or guardian — a driver’s license, or a state- or country-issued ID.
• ✅ Proof of address — a lease, a current utility bill, or mail you received from your child’s school district or a government agency. (If the address on your ID is not current, a current utility bill in your name is the fix.)
• ✅ For each child: a birth certificate. This is the document that shows your child’s name and date of birth. If you have legal custody or guardianship papers, bring those too.
• ✅ Each child’s clothing and shoe sizes, and one toy wish per child (asked for in the Angel Tree application).

⚠️ A Social Security card does NOT count as proof for your child. It does not show your child’s date of birth, and it is not on the list of accepted documents. Bring the birth certificate instead. If you do not have a copy, order one now — do not wait until a sign-up deadline is close.

Which one should you choose?

• Angel Tree serves children ages 0–12 in San Antonio, and a donor picks your child’s wish list — gifts can include clothing and shoes, not just toys.
• Toys for Tots gives new toys through the local Marine Corps campaign for your county.
• Both route by where you live. Apply to the one serving your ZIP code, follow its dates, and keep your documents together in one folder so you are ready for either.

Need more than toys this season?

Christmas help is bigger than gifts. Food, rent help, utility help, and more may be open to your family right now. Check what you qualify for — it takes about 2 minutes, and we will build your personal guide to free help in San Antonio.

San Antonio Benefits is an independent help site, not a government agency. Program details above were checked against The Salvation Army’s and Toys for Tots’ own pages on October 30, 2026. Local dates can change — confirm on the provider’s page before you go.