The Salvation Army Kicks Off Christmas Season
Now through Christmas, The Salvation Army is geared up to serve the River Valley beyond our regular day-to-day services. This time of year requires all hands on deck, including plenty of volunteer hands to sustain the Army's mission throughout the year to meet human need wherever, whenever, and however we can. Here's what's going on and how you can help be a shield in the River Valley.
KETTLE DRIVE: The Salvation Army kicked off its 2018 Christmas Red Kettle Drive with a literal kick-off at the Northside vs. Southside football game last Friday. The Salvation Army’s largest annual fundraiser, The Red Kettle Drive enables the organization to serve thousands of people in the River Valley year-round.
The Red Kettle Drive runs from Nov. 14 through Christmas Eve. Bell Ringers will be stationed at locations throughout the River Valley including Walmart, Sams, Hobby Lobby, Harps, Walgreens, Yeagers, and other retail locations.
How You Can Help: Whether you donate your spare time or spare change, the Red Kettle Drive is a way to give back this holiday season. Individuals may support the year-round work of The Salvation Army by bringing monetary donations to any of the kettle locations or by becoming a volunteer bell ringer. Volunteers keep the Salvation Army from having to hire bell ringers, a cost that can quickly add up. The more people that agree to volunteer, the more money that can be used to DO THE MOST GOOD.
Individuals aren’t the only ones who can volunteer –clubs and businesses can too.
Reach out to your community by signing up your business to host a kettle for a week or a day. Show your customers how much you care for your community by matching dollars collected at your business. Need service project hours for your organization? Sign up to ring bells for the Salvation Army. Contact Susan Adams at 479-783-6145 x207 to schedule times and locations.
ANGEL TREE: The Angel Tree is up at the JCPenney wing in Central Mall and is filled with hundreds of angels to adopt. The Angel Tree Christmas assistance program is The Salvation Army’s largest program all year. More than 900 children in the River Valley area will receive new clothing & gifts through this long-running program. Clothing & gifts are provided to needy children, who would otherwise be left out on Christmas. And each of the 400+ families who applied for help through the Angel Tree program will also receive a Christmas food box. The Angel Tree runs now through 12/7. All gifts must be returned by 12/7.
How You Can Help: Angels can be picked up at Central Mall. Gifts can be dropped off at The Salvation Army at 301 N. 6th St. before 12/7. Volunteers will also be needed for toy sorting (Dec 11-14) and Christmas distribution (Dec 20). Please contact Susan Adams at 479-783-6145 x207 to learn more about volunteer opportunities.
THANKSGIVING DINNER: We’ll be looking for food donations and volunteers to help with our annual Community Thanksgiving Dinner and Coat Giveaway. Dinner prep will be on November 21 and the meal will be served Nov. 22 11am-1pm. Here are some items we will be needing:
35-40 turkeys
10 big boxes of instant mashed potatoes (sams)
100 pies or cakes (not cream pies that have to be refrigerated)
Pumpkin/pecan/apple/pies assorted cakes/ sugar free items are welcome as well -serving size 6 each
Butter-1000 individual packages & 6 large tubs for cooking
Canned (spray) whipped topping
10 big boxes or bags stuffing (sams)
1000 rolls
6 or 8 gallons milk for cooking
Canned cranberry sauce
(500) 2 oz. Containers w/lids
500 dinner plates (large styrofoam 3 section)
500 plastic forks
500 plastic spoons
500 plastic knives
(not the prepackaged ones already together)
1000 napkins
500 to 1000 16 to 20 oz cups-styrofoam or plastic
200 styrofoam 8 to 12 oz coffee cups
Tea- large size- cold brew tea bags (or regular brew)
1000 sugar/splenda/equal/creamer/sweet n low/ individual packages
How You Can Help: Drop off some of the above items at 301 N. 6th Street by Nov. 17. Contact Susan Adams at 479-783-6145 x207 to volunteer to help cook and serve.
CHRISTMAS BRUNCH & DINNER: We’ll be serving brunch at 11am and dinner at 6pm. Contact Susan Adams at 479-783-6145 x207 to volunteer to help cook and serve.
Take the time this holiday season to reach out to your community and do good for others. Contact the Salvation Army at 783-6145 to start giving back today. Be sure to follow us at WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/BEASHIELD to find out more ways you can be a shield in your community.