|
Salvation Army cannot do it without help
By Major Tex Ellis
Contributor
Published December 8, 2009
The Salvation Army continues to press forward in its annual Christmas Drive to provide a Merry Christmas for over 804 children in the Lamar County, Paris area. As of to date we are really lagging behind last year’s efforts with more than 200 additional children on our approved list.
Our annual toy drive conducted at Love Civic Center this past Friday night was really a “bitter disappointment.” We don’t know if there was too much going on downtown or it was too cold. We just did not have the usual crowd that we have had the past four years.
Our goal was simply to collect toys for these children. Needless to say we are very concerned for the first time if we are going to be able to fill all the request. We try to put at least three toys with each child plus the items that come from our Angel trees. We need toys desperately for children from newborns up to 12 years of age.
These may be dropped off at our office located at 350 W. Kaufman St. Monday thru Saturday or at our Angel trees at Walmart, The Paris News, TaMolly’s Restaurant, Bealls Department Store, First Federal Community Bank on N.E. Loop 286 and the Dollar Store in Reno.
Also, our annual “Empty Stocking” program being conducted by The Paris News is also receiving Toys and monetary donations as well. This is a very vital part of our fund raising efforts.
Of course, our Red Kettle bell ringing effort is still going up to Christmas Eve, and we are running way behind in those funds as well. Our locations are Walmart, Kroger, Brookshires, Big Lots, Bealls, JC Penney, Sears, Atwoods and Hobby Lobby. We will try our best to ring as many locations as possible as much as possible. If you have a group that would like to volunteer a day at the Kettles, please give us call. We ask that due to our small staff that you at least commit for five or more hours or the total shift from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Having said all this, we are trying our best to be very optimistic about serving all the children, but we cannot do it without your help. Please try to at least get involved with the toy drive. As you know, to the children this is what they are looking for on Christmas morning.
Thank you Paris, I know you can pull this off in time for Santa’s sleigh, which arrives at The Salvation Army on Dec.19 to load up for Christmas day. Give us call at 903-784-7548 or drop by the office.
To all who have dropped money in our kettles or adopted one of our Angels or who have rang our bells, we say a very heart-felt thank you and God bless you.
Major Tex Ellis is a Paris resident and Local commander of The Salvation Army.
Share |
Save |
Mail |
Print |
Letter
|
|
 |
|
|
