The Salvation Army of Augusta has kicked off two familiar campaigns as Christmas shopping goes into high gear. After Helene, the requests for help are substantially higher.
The Angel Tree campaign provides toys and clothing to children who might otherwise receive little or nothing on Christmas Day.
Janelys Villalta, Marketing and PR Manager, told ABD they started taking applications for Angel Tree during the time of Hurricane Helene. She said last year, they served about 1,000 children. They’ve seen a big spike in requests this year.
“We’re at about 1,400 angels this year, and that need has only increased, especially in the aftermath of the hurricane,” she said. “You can come here to the Kroc Center, there’s a tree in our lobby that you can adopt an angel. We’ll also have trees set up at our Riverwatch Parkway (4099 Riverwatch Parkway) and North Augusta (1751 Knox Ave.) family stores, and if you’re shopping at the Augusta Mall, there will also be a tree there as well.”
They have requests for children ranging from newborn to age 12. Gifts should be unwrapped and returned to the Kroc Center (1833 Broad St.) by Dec. 13.
The other component of the annual Christmas event is the Red Kettle campaign, collecting money at locations including Bass Pro Shop, Belk, Kroger, and Walmart locations in Augusta, Evans, Grovetown, Hephzibah, Martinez, and North Augusta.
“We really want to let the community know that the Red Kettle program is our biggest fundraiser of the year. It is what sustains us as an organization, and we can’t do it without the community, whether that’s dropping some money in the Red Kettle, or donating your time to ring the bell,” Villalta explained.
While the Red Kettle campaign is geared more toward community support, Villalta said there is a way businesses can help. The Salvation Army can supply small Red Kettles that can be set up in business lobbies and placed near cash registers in retail and restaurant locations.
“Of course, we’re at the big box stores ringing the bell. But not everyone goes out to those stores,” she said. “So, we would encourage local business owners, to reach out to us, and see if you want to host an Angel Tree or a tabletop Red Kettle where you can let the community know that these things are happening.”
Major Jonathan Raymer, Area Commander, said the support from the business community is invaluable, especially at this time of year.
“It’s great to have businesses who understand the importance of community and understand the importance of giving back to that community, and very grateful for that, because obviously, the Salvation Army can’t exist without the generosity of individuals and businesses,” he said.
Volunteers from some local businesses stepped up and helped alongside the Salvation Army, distributing emergency supplies at the Hub for Community Innovation in the days following Hurricane Helene.
Employees from businesses, including Aurubis Richmond, LLC, have also volunteered at the donation centers.
“They spent a whole week just volunteering at different spots, and we are really grateful to them and other businesses like them. Go onto our volunteer website and just sign up a few employees for a day to spend time giving back to the community. We would encourage it right now. It’s that time of the year when you can get your employees out for a day of Christmas holiday cheer and ring the bell,” Villalta said.
All donations raised locally are used to support the Center of Hope and other programs.
To donate or volunteer, go to: www.salvationarmyaugusta.org
In addition to preparing for Christmas, Salvation Army Augusta is also holding its annual Thanksgiving meal for clients in the emergency shelter and any member of the community in need of a meal.
The dinner will be held Thursday, Nov. 28, starting at 5:30 p.m. and drop 6 p.m. at the Center of Hope, 1384 Greene St. Dinner will be served as to-go plates.
