Empty Stocking Fund: How to help the community this season
Each year the residents of Gaston and Lincoln counties pull together to help those who are less fortunate.
“It is only a few weeks until Christmas and I can hardly believe it,” said Major Amber Phelps of theGastonia/Lincoln Salvation Army. “We are all hard at work here at The Salvation Army as we try to make Christmas brighter for some of the children in our community, but we definitely cannot do it without your help.
“During the month of December, we have many opportunities for volunteering and giving. Here at The Salvation Army of Gaston and Lincoln Counties, I am confident we can find an opportunity for giving that works for just about anyone,” she said.
The annual Empty Stocking Fund is one way to make a difference in many of those lives. Another way is by “adopting” an angel that can be found on angel trees distributed in the local community. A third way is to volunteer to “ring the bell” at a Salvation Army Red Kettle.
Salvation Army angel trees
The Salvation Army Angel Tree program is sponsored by The Salvation Army to help provide toys and gifts for children in need in our community. The Salvation Army hopes to aid more than 675 children, 300 families, and 90 seniors through the Empty Stocking Fund, its Angel Tree program and other efforts throughout the year nm.
“We could certainly use everyone’s help in providing for those in need in our area. Our donation base is made up largely of individuals giving what they can, and every donation helps,” said Melissa Gonzales, Salvation Army boardmember.
Prior to the pandemic, many local organizations and companies placed an angel tree in their locations for the Salvation Army. Having an angel tree on site allowed for many in our community to adopt an angel. Having multiple ways to participate with angel tree adoptions gives us hope to have no angel in need during Christmas.
Here are a few ways to be a part of the angel tree program’s success.
First, you could consider adopting an angel. If you would like to adopt an angle and provide toys, clothes, or gifts for that child, the Salvation Army encourages you to look for an angel tree. Trees can be found around town at Eastridge Mall and many of the Gaston/Lincoln County Walmart stores. You can also adopt an angel online at tsamm.org/angeltree/adopt.dpi. Another option would be to go to the Salvation Walmart Registry at walmart.com/registry/RR/aad781ea-26b6-49e7-9808-5155cf6eda38 and select a gift or two will be used for any forgotten/unadopted angels or emergency cases. These gifts can be purchased online and delivered directly to the Army for use with the Angel Tree Program.
If adopting an angel in person or online, please ensure the gifts are new and unwrapped. Gifts are to be delivered before Dec. 13, to the Salvation Army’s Angel Tree warehouse located at 1506 Union Road in Gastonia.
Salvation Army red kettle
The famous red kettle along with the sound of the ringing bell are iconic to the Salvation Army. If you would like to volunteer to ring the bell for a few hours or would like to gather a group of friends or a club to ring bells, this year the Salvation Army has established a website where you or your team can sign up. Please visit Register to Ring (registertoring.com) if interested.
Bell ringing is a fun and easy way to get into the holiday spirit.
Another way to help is to become your own Virtual Red Kettle. The Salvation Army has made it simple for everyone to do some serious fundraising. By going to https://give.salvationarmycarolinas.org/campaign/gaston-and-lincoln-counties-virtualred-kettle-2022/c448802 and selecting become a fundraiser, you can start your own Virtual RedKettle. Choose to start a team or you can start an individual kettle.
“We've had great success with the Virtual Red Kettle. In fact, one year our advisory board alone raised over $20,000 via Virtual Red Kettle,” said Phelps. “They made it a competition to see who could raise the most money in their kettle. The winner got all the bragging rights.”
Lisa Lane and Jim Stewart volunteer to ring the bell at the Red Kettle at Sam’s Club in Gastonia.
The Gaston Gazette has partnered with The Salvation Army for decades to promote the Empty Stocking Fund. All the money that people contribute is used by the Salvation Army to buy food, clothing, toys and gift cards for families. Throughout this month, The Gazette will publish the names of donors and list their contributions.
Donation checks should be made out to The Salvation Army with the memo line noted as “Empty Stocking Fund.” Contributions should be mailed to The Salvation Army, P.O. Box 1094, Gastonia, N.C., 28053 or can be dropped off at the Center of Hope at 107 S. Broad St., Gastonia NC 28052.
The Gazette will provide regular updates on the campaign as it progresses.
$100 from Clarissa Craig
$50 from J. and R. Blanton
$100 in in memory of Bernice and N.L. Snuggs, from Porter and Libby Snuggs McAteer
$250 from Clyde and Kim Arrowood
$10 Anonymous
$100 from Barry and Wanda Dellinger in honor of our grandkids, Kayley, Holden,Logan, Graham and Jamison
$25 from Nola and Stephen Huffstetler in memory of Lewis and Jenielle Ramsey
$50 from Charlie Killian
$200 from Joyce and Bruce Hartung in memory of Ralph and Doris Fail
$100 from Dwight Howington in memory of Betty Springfield Howington and Kate LewisHowington
$100 from Vicki Murphy in memory of David R. Murphy
$50 from Gail White in memory and in honor of all the ladies who have been in TheStudy Club since 1911
So far, $1,135 of the $75,000 goal is the total of the Empty Stocking Fund as of Dec. 1, 2023.
SALVATION ARMY EMPTY STOCKING FUND 2023Donor Name :____________________________________________Amount: _________________________________________________Optional:o In Memory of: _____________________o In Honor of: _______________________o I wish to remain anonymousPlease mail form and check to: The Salvation Army, P.O. Box 1094,Gastonia, NC 28053.
This article originally appeared on The Gaston Gazette: Empty Stocking Fund: How to help the community this season
