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Salvation Army wants you

Staff Report

The Salvation Army’s familiar Red Kettles and ringing bells are back.Throughout the holiday season each year, roughly 20,000 Salvation Army Red Kettles serve as collection stations nationwide. Local donations support programs and services of the Salvation Army’s Glenwood Springs Service Extension Unit, such as emergency rent and utility assistance, eviction prevention, prescriptions, repairs, transportation and lodging.Area service groups manage kettle locations from Parachute to Aspen, with help from additional volunteers who pitch in. Last year, 1,000 hours were volunteered at the kettles. The donations collected between Thanksgiving and Christmas will account for a large part of the local emergency aid budget for 2005.Seven cases of rent assistance/eviction prevention at $300 each are provided each month on a one-time basis, totaling $25,200 for 84 cases annually. The local unit works collaboratively with LIFT-UP and Catholic Charities on specific cases requiring more extensive help.Last year, kettles raised $93 million was raised nationwide, helping the Salvation Army provide assistance for nearly 33 million people in need. Locally, 18 kettle locations valleywide raised $43,870.”Money donated to The Salvation Army Red Kettles is critical,” said W. Todd Bassett, national commander of The Salvation Army, in a press release. “Salvation Army units across the country rely on these donations to help people in their community throughout the year. More donations mean more people helped and we’re continually seeing an increase in demand for our services.”An advisory committee made up of area professionals who live in Aspen, Glenwood Springs, Silt, Rifle and Parachute oversees the services of the local service extension unit. Alan Collins of WestStar Bank serves as the committee president. Micaela Johns manages day-to-day operations from the unit’s office in the lower level of the Glenwood Springs Mennonite Church.An advisory committee made up of area professionals who live in Aspen, Glenwood Springs, Silt, Rifle and Parachute oversees the services of the local service extension unit. Alan Collins of WestStar Bank serves as the committee president. Micaela Johns manages day-to-day operations from the unit’s office in the lower level of the Glenwood Springs Mennonite Church.


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