 Graduate from high school. Drive across the country. Earn your first paycheck. A lot can be accomplished in 17 years. Sadly, what America has accomplished, certainly not by choice but in the same span of time, is grow its poverty level to 46.2 million people. A US Census Bureau report released in October showed that in 2010, 15.1% of the country lived in poverty. Not since 1993 has it been this high.
It’s the holiday season and benevolent citizens want to give to charity, as they take great joy in doing each year, but most are strapped. Beyond strapped. Free address labels from nonprofits arrive in the mailbox weekly, along with a Remit Payment Form asking for $5, $10, or $20, whatever the recipient can send. Every dollar counts, right? What about every dish, pair of shoes, unused airline mile, hour of volunteerism, unwanted automobile or ATV, or bathrobe? They do. They really do.
When Kingston resident Beatrice Bryan donated a few simple household items to charity in 2010, she might not have realized the impact that gesture would have. Ultimately, the profits from their sale were used to help restore and mend her fellow citizens in need. She unknowingly helped to keep a 100+-year tradition alive.
When Harrisburg resident Molly Stanton, a Kingston native, dropped her spare change into the traditional red kettle that has become an integral and familiar part of the Christmas tradition, she probably did so without knowing how far those quarters, dimes, and nickels would go.
They help find missing persons, provide disaster relief, rehabilitate prisoners and those struggling with drug and alcohol issues, fight human trafficking, run youth camps, encourage music enthusiasts, provide services for the elderly, and take away loneliness.
This is all accomplished through the efforts of The Salvation Army, which persevered in 2010 thanks to the grace and help of God. With its message based on the Bible and motivated by the love of God, The Salvation Army is an evangelical part of the universal Christian church. As such, it believes that God has called His children for substantial purposes and has assured that He would provide all that would be needed to accomplish these tasks. This was certainly the case last year.
Many know that each year’s donations to The Salvation Army aid needy families, seniors, and the homeless. The organization does this so the true meaning of the season is remembered. What people might not realize is that many families continue to receive assistance for a number of months after the Christmas season ends– people struggling with difficult life problems.
If you would like to be part of the positive changes that The Salvation Army makes possible for millions, it is possible, even in this unbelievably poor economic climate. On a personal note, I was without full-time employment for a period of time in 2011 so I don’t have much to donate in the way of monetary gifts. Like most of you, my life is full to capacity, leaving no room to volunteer my time. But, I feel so blessed to be part of a world in which the people who do have the time to help do, especially to the Salvation Army and its many programs.
Community and Fellowship Programs
• Kroc Centers
• Youth Camps
• Recreation
Rebuilding Lives Programs
• Prisoner Rehabilitation
• Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation
• Fight Human Trafficking
Comfort and Support Programs
• Christmas Charity
• Elderly Services
• Community Cares Ministries
The next time you’re browsing around the Internet and looking for a good read, stop by www.salvationarmyusa.org to read the touching and inspiring stories of the people who the Salvation Army programs have helped. They will warm your heart better than a steaming, creamy cup of hot chocolate with mini marshmallows.
So, here is what I plan to do when those bells start ringing outside of my favorite grocery store. I now have a jar on the top of my microwave in which I throw the day’s coins that are left in my wallet. Once a week I will throw them in a red kettle. It’s not much, but I know it will help.
I’m taking all of the boxes of items I didn’t sell at my yard sale, making two copies of an itemized list, and taking them to the Salvation Army near my home. (Remember to have two copies of your list. You will need to turn one into the store and keep one for your records, for tax purposes. Failure to do this will require that you stand at the counter and re-write your list or return another day.)
‘Tis the season to donate!
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