Friday, December 14, 2007 12:23 AM CST
Salvation Army still needs toys, plus cash in kettles
By HERB MEEKER, Staff Writer
hmeeker@jg-tc.com
MATTOON —People still can help the Salvation Army spread the Christmas cheer in different ways as the big day approaches.
The Salvation Army is accepting donations for angel tree gifts for needy children. New toys can be donated by calling 234-3915 and dialing zero to connect with the office manager. Wal-Mart, K.C. Summers and United Graphics assisted with the program this year.
“We’re asking people to donate new gifts. It is a good way to help families in need have enough gifts for all their children. We do need those gifts as soon as possible, though,” said Salvation Army Captain Heather Holman.
Also, anything but ice this weekend would be a welcome sight not only for local merchants, but Salvation Army bell ringers as well.
Last weekend was a productive one with $3,686 dropped into kettles, said Holman. The club challenge between the Mattoon Kiwanis and Rotary produced $1,476 in donations. The Rotarians raised $960, compared to $514 for the Kiwanis teams.
But the Salvation Army Bell Ringing Campaign is about $6,000 behind the totals at this point last year. The goal for 2007 is $150,000. This weekend is the second to last one for the campaign.
Money raised through donations in the red kettles helps needy families in Coles and Cumberland counties throughout the year, not just during the holidays.
Volunteer bell ringers are still needed, Holman said. Families, organizations or a group of friends can sign up for a four-hour shift at stations with red kettles, or complete an all-day shift from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., or even 12 hours from morning through night.
“We have all our paid ringers signed up. We just take volunteers now. And if they play a musical instrument or sing, that is great, too. That helps with the donations,” she said.
But she added that some music might not bode well for the red kettle stations.
“I don’t think we need a metallic version of ‘Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,’” she said.
Contact Herb Meeker at hmeeker@jg-tc.com or 238-6869.
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