Christmas donations up, down for Salvation Army
It’s been an up-and-down season for the Salvation Army Butler Corps’ annual Christmas campaigns for donations and gifts.
Participation in the Angel Tree toy and gift campaign is higher than last year, but the Red Kettle campaign collections are well below the goal, even though donations are a little higher than last year, said Maj. Darlene Means.
Individuals and businesses have signed up to provide gifts to about 350 children and at least 30 senior citizens, Means said. The number of gift buyers is more than last year, she said.
Children and seniors apply in October and November to be included in the Angel Tree program, and their names and gift requests are placed in Angel Trees in Walmart and Sam’s Club.
Shoppers choose names from the trees, buy the gifts and either take them to the store where the tree is located or drop them off at the Salvation Army’s center at 313 West Cunningham Street in Butler.
Means said some businesses ask for names of people who signed up and buy them gifts. The businesses drop off the gifts or the Salvation Army picks them up.
The gifts are distributed on Dec. 20. Anyone who needs a gift for a child or senior can get one if they call the Salvation Army at 724-287-5532 by Dec. 22, Means said.
Meanwhile, the Red Kettle campaign has reached 55% of its fundraising goal of $92,000. The campaign, in which people ring bells at kettles at stores around town, ends Dec. 23.
“We’re hoping to meet our goal, but don’t know,” Means said.
Kettles are set up on weekends and a few weekdays. She said fewer people volunteered to ring bell this year than last year., she said.
Groups that volunteered to ring the bells this year include the Butler High School’s Junior ROTC program, Butler AM Rotary, Dassa McKinney Elementary School in West Sunbury, and Chapter 13 of the Alliance of Bikers Aimed Toward Education.
Last year, 47% of the goal was met, Means said.
Those who wish to donate to the Salvation Army should send checks to the Salvation Army, PO Box 389, Butler, PA 16003, or text to 31333.
