Red Kettle Campaign shouldering extra burden in 2010

Photo by: William D. Lewis

Photo

With a smile to go along with his Salvation Army bell, Demetric Brown of Youngstown rings for money in front of the downtown post office on Walnut Street as part of the SA’s Red Kettle Campaign.

By WILLIAM K. ALCORN

alcorn@vindy.com

YOUNGSTOWN

The Salvation Army’s Red Kettle Campaign in Mahoning County is particularly important this year because donations to the local organization are down in other areas, especially the mail

appeal, said the Salvation Army’s Major Lurlene-Kay Johnson.

“That’s all the more reason why our kettles have to make a difference this year,” she said.

Johnson said the 2010 kettle goal is $300,000, which is about $7,000 more than the $292,900 raised in 2009. Kettle donations represent about 10 percent of the local annual budget, she said.

Johnson, out of the Salvation Army’s Cleveland office, is a temporary support officer

helping the local branch through the Christmas season because of the unexpected death in October of Commander Keith Campbell, who with his wife, Carmen, were assigned to the post July 1.

The Mahoning County Red Kettle Campaign began Monday with the traditional bell ringers manning 18 sites around the county. The day after Thanksgiving Day, the rest of the locations will begin operating, bringing the total to about 50, Johnson said.

Money raised at the kettles provides assistance not only for Christmas but also for the following year, she said.

Activities during the upcoming holiday season include a Thanksgiving Day dinner to be served at the Salvation Army, 1501 Glenwood Ave., from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Volunteers are needed for the dinner from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and donations of turkeys and pies also are needed, Johnson said.

The Christmas distribution for families who are receiving toys is from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 13-17 at 6000 Mahoning Ave., Unit 410 Room A, in the Austintown Plaza.

A food distribution will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 21 at the same Austintown Plaza location.

The community can help in numerous ways, Johnson said.

Needs include toys for 3,400 children; $20 store gift cards for children older than 12; new clothing for children newborn to 18; volunteers to stand at the kettles, sort and pack toys and distribute food vouchers; donation of nonperishable canned goods; and cash donations.

Individuals, groups or businesses who want to volunteer or donate can call the Salvation Army at 330-270-5999 for information.