Area retailers are gearing up for the annual Christmas shopping season and the leaders of the local Salvation Army have numerous ways that area residents can join in while sharing hope with children in the community.
One way is by volunteering to ring the bell by the iconic Red Kettle that is synonymous with the Salvation Army. But there are other ways to make the holidays brighter as well, say Capts. Derrick and Odessa Smith of The Salvation Army of Henderson.
The Smiths were on Town Talk Tuesday and spoke to John C. Rose about upcoming events and ways the community can participate.
Odessa Smith said the annual Angel Tree campaign has about 300 children signed up to receive Christmas gifts. Now is the time to choose an angel from one of the Army’s tree locations, she said. Shoppers also can adopt an angel virtually by going online at either the Salvation Army site or from Walmart, which will send all selected gifts directly to the Salvation Army.
The Red Kettle Kickoff will be held Thursday, Nov. 18 at 10 a.m. outside Belk of Henderson. He said the kickoff event will be an exciting time, during which participants will learn how the kettles became a symbol for the work of the Salvation Army. Visit https://www.registertoring.com/ to sign up to volunteer.
“The calendar for that is picking up,” he noted. Individuals or groups may sign up to ring the bell outside area retail stores.
Odessa Smith said gifts purchased for the Angel Tree project may be dropped off at the Salvation Army facility, 2292 Ross Mill Road.
This year, she noted, many parents have included winter clothing items on the wish list for their children. Winter coats and other appropriate warm outerwear will be especially appreciated this year, she added.
The Ross Mill Road location is the spot to drop off food items, as well as toys and clothing for the Angel Tree project.
Thrift store items, however, should be taken directly to the store, located at 218 Raleigh Road.
As with the thrift store revenue, almost all of the money collected during the holiday Red Kettle Campaign stays right here in the community to support programs.
The Salvation Army just celebrated its 100th anniversary of work in the Henderson area. Derrick said he’s very thankful and pleased to have “great people committed to our organization to help us provide hope within our community.”
Whether it’s a Red Kettle outside a store or a food drive to help senior adults with groceries, the Smiths said collaboration within the community is crucial to their ongoing success. “Collaboration and partnerships like that are meaningful,” Derrick said.
Because of the strong community partnerships, the Smiths anticipate in early 2022 the beginning of youth music programs that include brass band and woodwind instruments, as well as archery, air rifle classes. The ball fields are being built, too, which will further add to the program capability.
“We look forward to the growth of those ministries,” he said.
Visit https://bit.ly/3wtF6Os to adopt an angel from the angel tree or purchase directly from Walmart’s angel tree at https://bit.ly/3wqlACK to have gifts delivered directly to the Salvation Army office.