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."
Traditionally, The Salvation Army's bell ringers in LaPorte help generate significant support for programs community-wide at their red kettles. However, bell ringers continue to face restricted access in setting up kettles. Local donations are down due to the economy. Home foreclosures are unprecedented, unemployment is still a major problem in LaPorte, and prices for essentials are rising. All this contributes to an increase in families seeking help from the Army during the Christmas season . . . and an increase in the cost of providing help.
"In this period of economic uncertainty, our income just can't meet the ever-growing needs," says Greg Irwin. "But we need to care for our neighbors right here in LaPorte who face a most difficult Christmas season, struggling even to meet their most basic necessities. I'm confident our faithful friends and those new supporters who see the need will share generously and won't let them down."
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 remodel is being funded in its entirety by the generous bequest of Charlie Dye in his will. We express our deepest gratitude to the Dye family for Charlie's gracious and selfless support. Many needed social services in our community will provided in a more efficient manner due to the legacy that this fine man left.
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