YOUNGSTOWN Salvation Army gets hand from helpers

For many families receiving assistance, this is the first time they've come for help.
By MARALINE KUBIK
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
YOUNGSTOWN -- This time of year, it's not uncommon to see dozens of starry-eyed children waiting in line for a turn on Santa's lap.
For the Salvation Army, this scene is just as common -- visits by hundreds of moms and dads, and older folks, graying hair and spectacles.
Santa's helpers -- volunteers and members of Poland Middle School Junior Leadership -- distributed food vouchers and toys to nearly 2,000 families Wednesday at the organization's headquarters, families who couldn't afford to buy the gifts their children are dreaming of. Or, in some instances, groceries for a Christmas Day dinner.
Angel tree: "The Salvation Army is a big help, especially this year," Linda Jackson of Youngstown said. She has five children. Her three youngest, ages 9, 10 and 13, qualified for placement on one of the angel trees; the other two don't qualify because of age restrictions.
Angel trees, explained Maj. David Lyle, are decorated with names of children and their Christmas wishes, along with basic information such as clothing and shoe sizes.
The trees are put in places such as department stores where shoppers can select a name and buy gifts for that child. The Salvation Army supplements the gift collection, Lyle said, so every child whose name is placed on the tree is guaranteed a gift. On distribution day, family members collect the gifts at the Salvation Army.
Families must apply weeks ahead of the holiday and provide proof of need.
"It's a long process," Jackson said, "but everybody here is so nice. I love the staff and all their smiley faces. That makes you feel good."
For many of the families this is the first time they've come to the Salvation Army for help.
Tracy Jones applied for help after a job change left her with shorter work weeks and a smaller paycheck. "I didn't need assistance before," said the single mother of Youngstown. But lower earnings this year made it difficult for her to provide gifts for her 7-year-old.
This is also the first time Cindy Gyrell of Youngstown applied for help. She has an 8-year-old son. "Higher bills made this year tight," she said.
Another mother -- in too much of a hurry to talk to a reporter -- gleefully announced that this would be the last year she'd ask the Salvation Army for help. She was recently hired at a company that will pay enough to allow her to support her family. Before next Christmas, she said, her family will have health insurance and a better standard of living.
Who seeks help: Recipients of the Salvation Army's gift and grocery giveaway are not freeloaders, although many come back year after year, Lyle stressed. Many of the recipients, including senior citizens, are on fixed incomes or are what he calls "the working poor," people who hold down jobs, work hard, do the best they can, but still don't earn enough to adequately provide for their families.
During the holidays companies, churches, youth organizations and families will sometimes "adopt" one or more of the families requesting help.
This year, 15 eighth-graders from Poland Middle School, all members of Junior Leadership, raised money and bought gifts for children on the angel trees. They also helped to organize and distribute the toys. A few even carried packages to recipients' cars.
"I joined Junior Leadership because I wanted to help a lot of people," Samantha Gett said. She bought gifts for a 7-year-old girl.
Families who qualify for the program receive food vouchers good at area grocery stores. The amount of the vouchers is based on the number of family members.
kubik@vindy.com