Salvation Army deploys bell ringers
By Sherrie Norris
Staff Correspondent

It’s all about an organization that has been making a difference since the 1800s, when William Booth, a Methodist minister, began reaching out to the poor and “unchurched” people in London, helping to meet their physical, as well as emotional and spiritual, needs.

Originally called the Christian Mission, Booth’s group became known as the Salvation Army in 1878, its outreach having expanded to include more than 100 countries, assisting more than 30 million people annually through a myriad of “social” services: disaster relief, day care centers, summer camps, holiday assistance, services for the aging, AIDS education, residential services, medical facilities, shelters for battered women and children, family and career counseling, vocational training, correction services and substance abuse rehabilitation.

For several years, Salvation Army has had a strong presence in the High Country, noticed primarily through the popular thrift store on Blowing Rock Road, and as the upcoming holiday season will attest, the organization’s signature Red Kettle Campaign at various locations throughout the area.

Jerry Walker, chairman of the local Salvation Army unit, said that in addition to the Red Kettle Campaign, the organization is working closely again with the Hospitality House’s WeCAN (Watauga Crisis Assistance Network) program to provide heating, utilities and rent assistance for local residents in crisis.

Additionally, Walker said, the community is “already showing generosity” by donating new and used adult and children’s coats to the “Give a Kid a Coat” program sponsored by A Cleaner World Cleaners at New Market Center.

Walker said that donated coats, which can be dropped off daily, are repaired and cleaned free of charge and sent to the Salvation Army Family Thrift Store, located at 2422 U.S. 321 South in Boone. “Families needing coats should bring their children, plus identification, to the thrift store,” he said. “Warm coats for children and adults are available at no charge.”

Walker strongly encouraged individuals, families, church and civic groups to get involved with the upcoming Red Kettle Campaign, which, as tradition dictates, begins each year the day after Thanksgiving.

“We need volunteer bell-ringers in place when our local service unit kicks off this year’s fundraising effort on Friday, Nov. 23,” he said.

Walker noted that kettles will be located in Boone at Belk in the Boone Mall, K-Mart, Lowe’s Foods at New Market Center and Wal-Mart. “Other locations will be added during December to include Blowing Rock and Avery County,” he said.

The campaign ends on Dec. 24.

Walker said that 83 percent of the contributions received during the Red Kettle Campaign will be used to assist local residents in need during the coming year.

“Last year, over $25,000 was dropped into the red kettles locally, gifts ranging from pocket change to a check for $500,” he said.

Those needing assistance through WeCAN (for services described above) should call (828) 264-1237.
Appointments are preferred, but walk-ins are accepted at the King Street location Monday through Thursday, before 11 a.m. The Salvation Army partner in Avery County is Reaching Avery County Ministry at (828) 733-5127.

For more information about volunteering as a bell-ringer or the activities of the Salvation Army in general, contact Jerry R. Walker, Chairman, Salvation Army High Country Service Unit, phone (828) 264-8777 or 828 264-1400 or email jrwalkerchfc@yahoo.com