Salvation Army Tree of Lights Campaign Update

The Salvation Army's Tree of Lights Campaign is well underway. Michele Skalicky brings us an update.

The goal of this year's Salvation Army Tree of Lights Campaign is bigger than ever before at $500,000. To this point, $212,000 has been raised or about 43% of the overall goal.

Salvation Army Corps Officer Major Norman Grainger says, compared to previous years, they're slightly ahead. However, they're seeing a greater need for assistance.

"We're seeing about a 50 to 55% increase in people coming to us for various reasons. I know there's been some changes in the community of who's helping at Christmastime. We're also dealing with almost $3 a gallon gas prices. I think the community is still under a cloud when it comes to the January 2007 ice storm. It's still trying to work itself out of that financially and so we're seeing not too many toys come in and we're also seeing not too many food donations come in, so that gives us some concern."

Grainger says there are only two solutions: to make an appeal to the community for help with food and toys or to look at capping the assistance they give. They're hoping the community will step up so they won't have to turn anyone away.

Grainger believes the toy recall may be having an impact as it has on other charitable organizations across the country.

"People may be donating financially and allowing us to sort that issue out. Internally, we're putting some controls in place. We're asking people to check on the toys that they receive from the Salvation Army, and, at the same time, we're looking at the toys that we do receive, as well, to see that they're not on any recall list."

Angel trees are located at area discount stores. You can choose a tag and purchase a toy for a child. Grainger says, so far, response to the angel trees is down from last year.

"Compared to last year, we're not seeing the same amount of toys come through that program, and so, really, that appeal is one appeal we want to make to the community is to get those toys flowing in so that we can be assured that we'll have enough toys to distribute to the young children."

According to Grainger, food pantry applications are up between 50 and 55%. You can help by dropping off non-perishable food items at the Salvation Army, 1707 W. Chestnut Expressway.

You can also help by dropping money in the red kettles outside many area stores. Grainger says money raised thru the Red Kettle Campaign will be used into next year to provide money for the Salvation Army's Family Enrichment Center, the harbor house program for men and community center programs. He says the Red Kettles represent 25% of the Salvation Army's budget.

For more information, call the Salvation Army at 862-5509.