Despite a continuing rough economy, the Danville Salvation Army has set the same fundraising goal for its annual Christmas kettle campaign that it has had the last two years.
The goal is $85,000, and the money will be used not only to cover the costs of providing food and other items for clients during the Christmas holidays but also to fund various nutritional, social service, educational, recreational and emergency programs year-round, said Lt. Dan Nelson, co-commander of the local army.
“The Christmas campaign is what keeps our programs and services going in Boyle, Casey, Garrard, Lincoln and Mercer counties,” Nelson said.
The main source of income from the campaign comes from money dropped into the army’s kettles, and bell ringers will be out in force at locations Friday through Dec. 24, excluding Sundays.
Kettle locations are at the Walmart stores in Danville, Harrodsburg and Stanford and the Kroger stores in Danville and Harrodsburg.
As as has been the case the last several years, the army will rely on volunteer bell ringers from various local businesses, clubs, churches and other organizations, Nelson said.
The army started using volunteers to cut expenses incurred in paying bell ringers and to get the community involved in a hands-on manner with the kettle campaign, he said.
“It’s remarkable to see how a little goes a long way,” he said. “A little bit of volunteer time coupled with a little money donation adds up to a tremendous amount of blessing for those in need in our communities.”
The army needs vounteers to fill all slots at all of the locations, Nelson said.
“Since the army in Danville began using all volunteer bell ringers, we have yet to fill every slot at every location,” he said. “The more volunteers we have ringing the bell, the better the chances we have of meeting our goal.
“One hour (of bell ringing) makes a difference,” he said. “Two, three or four hours make even a bigger difference.”
Two local businesses will match donations made on certain days, Nelson said.
Community Trust Bank will match donations up to $1,500 on Dec. 10 and Dec. 11. Danville Office Equipment will match donations up to $5,000 on Dec. 17 and Dec. 18.
In addition, bell ringers from Danville Rotary Club and Kiwanis Club will compete for garnering the most donations from Dec. 6-11 at the Danville Walmart store.
Danville Salvation Army sets same $85,000 goal for kettle campaign
650 children
Meanwhile, the army also will conduct its other major Christmas community effort to make the holidays happier for the needy — the Angel Tree program.
Angel Trees will be at the Walmart stores in Danville, Harrodsburg and Stanford and the Cracker Barrel restaurant in Danville.
All of the trees will have ornaments representing a total of 650 area children. The ornaments will have the ages and sexes of the children, their clothing sizes and suggested toys.
Nelson said the number of Angel Tree children is down from the nearly 1,000 last year. The army heavily promoted the sign-up in October and hopes the decrease represents an improvement in the economic status of area families.
“I’m hopeful the (decrease) is a positive indicator for this particular need in our community,” he said. “But 650 children is still a large number to provide for and continues to demonstrate the continuing need in our communities.”
Anyone who adopts an Angel Tree child needs to bring their gifts to the army office at 519 S. Fourth St. by Dec. 6 for distribution Dec. 16-17, Nelson said.
“This is a wonderful time of year that celebrates gift-giving by gift-giving — a gift of God to us and gift from us to others,” he said.
