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Salvation Army holiday programs, fundraisers, in full swing

With Christmas quickly approaching, Havre Salvation Army is looking for volunteers and donations to its annual Red Kettle Campaign. 

"The Salvation Army is still in desperate need of volunteer bell ringers," Havre Salvation Army Social Services Director Trina Crawford said.

She added that the Salvation Army has a large amount of volunteer opportunities for the community, needing bell ringers at North 40 Outfitters, Gary & Leo's Fresh Foods and Holiday Village Mall.

The Salvation Army pays bell ringers for the Walmart location outside of the store, she said. The Walmart location raises a lot of money but the bell ringers have to stand in the cold while they are there, and the wage is only compensation for the conditions.

The Red Kettle Campaign is a long-standing tradition.

"It helps us do what our model says, which is doing the most good," she said.

The campaign is the Salvation Army's biggest fundraiser throughout the year, with the money raised going directly back to the community, and it allows the Salvation Army to provide its emergency services throughout the year.

"Funding is always a big issue for us at the Salvation Army," she said.

Crawford added that the community raised more money for the Salvation Army than ever before last year, raising more than $30,000, but the needs in the community also grew. She said the emergency services were regularly out of funds throughout the year.

"The needs are so great this last year," she said.

She said that this year they are hoping to raise $32,000. 

The Havre campaign had raised $4,139.64 by Monday.

Some of the services the Salvation Army provides is assistance for fire and disaster victims, eviction prevention, emergency lodging, emergency transportation and school supplies.

Every year, the Havre Salvation Army Red Kettle Campaign has a number of returning volunteers, she said, adding she is very thankful for the people who choose to volunteer every year.

Crawford said that the Salvation Army still needs about 10 volunteers who are willing to volunteer for at least two hours a day, one day a week.

The bell ringers do two-hour shifts, she said. She added that they also have weekend shifts available. 

If people are interested in volunteering they can sign up at http://volunteer.usawest.org or email Crawford at [email protected]. People can also call the Salvation Army at 265-6411, ext. 107, or call 301-0476, which is the direct line to the person who is coordinating the bell ringers.

People can also now donate to the Red Kettle Campaign through iPay or Google Pay, with every kettle having a QR code people can scan on their phones, she said. People can also donate online through the Salvation Army website at https://havre.salvationarmy.org .

Crawford said that they are also looking for people, businesses, organizations or churches to volunteer for the Adopt-A-Family program. She said entire families in the community need assistance and this program provides a way for help to get to those families.  

Before the holidays, the Salvation Army staff members interview needy families when they are filling out their applications. Together they compose a wish list of items or things those families need, and interested groups then pick a family and fulfill the wish list.

"We really need people in the community to step up and adopt families," she said.

The Salvation Army is also holding its annual Giving Tree program, which is important for children in need, she said. This year, she added, the giving trees are set up at Walmart, Holiday Village Mall and the cafe at Gary & Leo's Fresh Foods.

The trees will be decorated with tags with information about the children in need, she said, adding the program provides gifts for children ages 1 to 17 and families from both the Rocky Boy's Indian Reservation and Havre. Walmart, Gary & Leo's and The Key, located at the Holiday Village Mall, are accepting the gift donations.

Crawford said that in addition to the Giving Tree and the Adopt-A-Family programs the Salvation Army is also holding a toy and gift drive and helping with the Marine Corps Toys for Tots program.

People who are interested in participating in any of the programs can call the Salvation Army at 265-6411, ext. 107, or email Crawford at the address listed above. She added that email is the best way to contact her.

 

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