The Salvation Army’s charity shop in Sutton Coldfield is well and truly ready for Christmas as shoppers finally have the chance to get their hands on the special festive stock that has been saved up all year.
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This way, Gargis said, the gifts may be placed under the tree for opening on Christmas Day.
“I tell these people: ‘wear costumes, sing, sing carols, dance”.
Maybe it was the color of the kettle, a bright, fire engine red, that caught their attention. “I’m just having a problem finding paid bell ringers”.
Or maybe it was the smiling faces of volunteers Betty Ellen Barrett and Derek Barrett. Participants make the purchases and bring the items back to the site of the Angel Tree or take them directly to the Salvation Army at 1601 University Blvd.
The shelves are well stocked at the Estevan Salvation Army’s food bank, but they could still use donations as they enter the very busy Christmas season.
“I was really struggling past year so I was so grateful to the people who gave toys – it made a huge difference”, she said.
With the late Thanksgiving, this is also one of the shortest years for the Red Kettle campaign, which can greatly impact the amount of donations, according to the Salvation Army website.
Both dressed for the occasion – meaning thick coats and gloves.
“This is a vital time of year for the Salvation Army”, Trimmer said. Perhaps something computer-side with a cup of hot cocoa?
To volunteer with the Salvation Army or make a donation, call 218-741-1889 or toll free at 800-SAL-ARMY (725-2769).
You can donate by stopping by participating malls in North Texas and signing up to be a donor.
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More than 400 gold coins have been donated to the Salvation Army at Christmastime since 1982. Beardsley says if they don’t have enough volunteers to do the job, then they have some paid staff that can go out.
