While most of us associate the Christmas season with happy gatherings of family and friends, there are many whose holiday spirits are crushed by the harsh realities of simply making ends meet. This holiday season, The Salvation Army of LaPorte will bring hope to nearly 2,000 local families and individuals who desperately need a helping hand.
“The Salvation Army will provide food, clothing and emergency assistance to nearly 2,000 people in real need at Christmastime, as we’ve done for nearly 125 years in our LaPorte community. We need to raise $75,000 to accomplish this as well as to provide a foundation in assisting them, our friends and neighbors, throughout the year as unexpected crises arise. And we won’t forget the children either. We’ll be sure to find toys and warm clothes for those who would otherwise go without,” vows Greg Irwin, Corps Administrator. “What’s Christmas to a child without at least one special gift? That would be really sad.”
This year’s Bell Ringing will start on Nov. 14th. They will be located at the following LaPorte businesses: Kabelins Hardware, Kmart, Al’s West and Al’s East, Walgreens, Krogers,
US Post Office and Phillips 66 (at 613 Pine Lake Ave). Bell ringing will get underway at Walmart on Black Friday.
We are doing several other special events during this season also. Here’s the calendar of events:
November 14th-Kettle Kick Off at local businesses
November 17th-Fall Harvest Singspiration and Dinner at 4pm at Salvation Army.
November 20th-Food Drive at WLOI/WCOE
Dec. 2-8th-Stuff the Sleigh at Al’s West and East
Dec. 7th-Holiday Blessings Dinner at First Church of God
Dec. 7/14/21-Pictures with Santa at Kroger and Al’s
Dec. 17-19th-Distribution of Food Boxes and Toys
Dates for Fill a Truck at Walmart to be announced
We need volunteers for Belling Ringing at our locations. Please contact our Volunteer Coordinator, Jari Troth at 219-363-9203. We are also accepting donations of toys, turkeys, hams and food items. In addition if you have new or slightly used winter coats, boots, hats, gloves, scarf and blankets.
The Salvation Army will continue its dedication to doing the most good not only during the holiday season, but year round. Greg adds, “Although our visibility is more heightened during the holidays, it is important for the community to know that our Army’s programs are ongoing. We don’t just hand out a blanket and a cup of coffee to a needy person. We want to give them a hand up . . . to get them back on their feet and into a productive and fulfilling role in life. The Salvation Army’s motivation comes from faith in Jesus and we’ll help them regain their hope and purpose by sharing the good news of God’s love and offering support in any way we can.”
To donate to The Salvation Army, please call 1-800-SAL-ARMY, or 219-326-5342. Mail your gift to 3240 Monroe St., LaPorte IN 46350, or make a donation online at salaporte.org.
We want to thank our community of LaPorte for your generosity as well as understanding as we go through our major remodel at our Corps Community Center located at 3240 Monroe St. It has provided many challenges but is a tremendous blessing at the same time.
The Salvation Army, an evangelical part of the universal Christian church established in 1865, has been supporting those in need in His name without discrimination for 130 years in the United States. Nearly 30 million Americans receive assistance from The Salvation Army each year through the broadest array of social services that range from providing food for the hungry, relief for disaster victims, assistance for the disabled, outreach to the elderly and ill, clothing and shelter to the homeless and opportunities for underprivileged children. 82 cents of every dollar spent is used to carry out those services in 5,000 communities nationwide. For more information, go to www.salvationarmyusa.org<http://www.salvationarmyusa.org/>.