Salem groups mobilize early for Salvation Army program

Events are scheduled to help raise money for youths in need this Christmas.

STAFF REPORT

SALEM — Cruising, good food and rock ’n’ roll this summer will make the season brighter in December.

And for some, possibly forever.

Workers at the Salem Post Office, BB Rooners restaurant and Ponderosa Park will have events Aug. 16 to raise funds for the Salvation Army’s Angel Tree Program.

Gene Johnson, a Salem resident and postal worker, came up with the idea in case Christmas contributions are as bad as last year’s, which were down. Johnson came up with similar programs during various postings in a 20-year stint in the U.S. Army.

Under the Angel Tree Program, youths can ask for items such as clothes, books or toys. People can select a request and buy what the youth wants.

For the youth receiving a caring gift instead of nothing, “It may be a life-changing experience,” said Capt. John Brand of the Salvation Army.

He added his thanks to the community groups that are making it happen.

He and his wife, Capt. Erin Brand, run the local operation.

“We all know the economy is bad,” he said.

Even the Salvation Army has fewer workers that it used to have, he added.

People can also make contributions to the program from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekdays at the Salvation Army, or at P.O. Box 703, Salem 44460.

Johnson said he was advised to keep the price low for the events, and it will cost $5 each for each car entered in the show. Concert tickets also will be $5, but those with antique cars can get in for $3.

The goal is to raise a total of $10,000 for the Salvation Army.

At Ponderosa Park, cars will be arranged in a large circle around the stage so people can look at the vehicles and drivers can come and go while the bands play.

The Salem Perry Township Neighborhood Crime Watch program will be parking cars at Ponderosa, and the Salem Ruritan Club is selling tickets.

The music will include: Abby Road, Salem’s longtime Beatles tribute band; Night Moves, which plays classic rock; Cross Creek, which plays country tunes; and Tribute, which plays songs from the 1950s to modern tunes.

The bands are all playing for free.

wilkinson@vindy.com