Red Kettles Not Yet Simmering
Everything has been done to get the fire going. The Kettles are out and ready to accept donations. The “cooks” or bell ringers as we know them have begun to “stir” or ring as we know it at the usual locations. But The Salvation Army’s Red Kettles are just lukewarm in donations. Comparing this time to the same time last year, The Army is $8,000 behind last year’s kettle income to date. The number of families registered for Christmas assistance is level with last season announced Major Art Penhale, Corp Officer for The Salvation Army in Lee, Hendry and Glades Counties. This annual signature fundraiser for The Army is essential to support existing comprehensive social service programs and holiday assistance efforts. Just shy of being out one month, the kettle reports show only fair results.
With only 14 days left to ring (December 24 is the last day), The Army is only at 41 percent of its 2009 goal. “Our goal this year is $600,000, an increase of 10% over last year’s fundraiser. The needs through the year on the other hand, have increased 45 percent. Because of the increased goal, we are asking for the community’s continuing and increased support. It’s not just Christmas needs, but the needs of thousands of families throughout the year,” explained Major Penhale.
The red kettle campaign supports The Army’s Christmas Cheer program where families register for assistance with holiday gifts and food. For years, donations have enabled The Army to provide each child in the family with new toys, books and a stocking. In addition a turkey and all the trimmings are provided, so that families can prepare a meal at home. Aside from families in need, The Army also provides gifts and food baskets to shut-ins and to the elderly during the holidays. Last year, over 19,000 people received help from the Christmas Cheer campaign.
What The Army Needs:
1.Volunteers A needed ingredient
Support from volunteers is still needed. Hopefully more volunteers will call to fill the empty schedules at over 70 merchant locations around the county. Groups, families and individuals are greatly needed to help The Army by ringing bells.
The red kettle campaign began on Nov. 13 and runs until Dec. 24, 2009. Volunteers can sign up to ring bells during the day and early evenings from 10:00am until 8:00pm, Monday through Saturday. No bell ringing takes place on Sundays. To join this community Army as a volunteer bell ringer, call (239) 278-1551.
2. Turkeys and all the Fixings
The Salvation expects to see large crowds for their annual Christmas dinner. Diners of all ages will enjoy the specially prepared meal by The Army staff. Individuals and families who come with children, will be visited by a real live Santa and Mrs. Clause giving out candy canes. To make this memorable for the hundreds of families who will gather for Christmas dinner, The Army is in need of:
TurkeysOnions
HamsPre-Bakes Pies
Large Cranberry SauceCookies
Large Green BeansFresh Fruit
Instant Potatoes12 oz. Canned Drinks
Celery
Donation Drop off sites are:
The Salvation Army Red Shield Lodge
2400 Edison Avenue in Fort Myers
The Salvation Army Corps Office
10291 McGregor Blvd in Fort Myers
Drop-off times:
Between 8:00 am and 6:00 pm
Monday through Friday
3.Toys, Games, Books
The inclement weather on last Saturday resulted in a lower than usual amount of toys collected from the United States Postal Toy Drop. The Toys For Tots program provides the majority of toys The Army distributes to thousands of children at Christmas. Walgreen’s has graciously agreed to be a collection site for the local Toys For Tots program. Anyone who did not get a chance to leave a toy for the postman is asked to drop off a new, unwrapped toy to any Walgreen’s location. With the generous help of community groups, businesses and individuals, last year The Salvation Army distributed over 40,000 gifts to children.
4.Answer The Bell
This year the red kettles are needed more than ever to assist families in need during the holidays. Increased cost of living, foreclosures, plus the low rate of employment produced a higher need. The Army has registered over 3,500 families who need help during holidays. This number will increase due to a few community groups who submit names of families for assistance to The Army and last minute emergency cases. When you see the red kettle or hear the tinkling of the bell, please give. Remember what The Army make here stays here to help local families and children.