Lawrence County's Salvation Army Christmas programs in full swing

BEDFORD — Nearly 100 tags went on Angel Trees around Lawrence County in October and by the evening of Black Friday, all had been taken.

Another 90 tags were taken by service clubs and groups that wanted to buy gifts for Lawrence County children in need before the trees were ever up in stores.

For Salvation Army volunteer Jim McCreery that is what Christmas dreams are made of, generous people seeking out others less fortunate to help.

The 190 tags that represent Christmas wish lists for 190 children is double the number of tags that were placed on trees in 2020. McCreery was a little worried that the large increase in tags might be more than the community could handle.

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"It's been great and everybody has been very generous," McCreery told the Times-Mail. "We even have people from Ellettsville and Greene County who came to Bedford to shop take tags."

Lawrence County's Salvation Army Christmas programs are in full swing. The Red Kettles are out at four locations, preparations are being made to distribute all the Angel Tree gifts and Thanksgiving food assistance was given to 65 families.

In addition, the Salvation Army serves as a clearinghouse for other Christmas charity projects like Toys for Tots, churches and nonprofits.

In total, McCreery said the local Salvation Army has funneled through the names of 450 children to receive Christmas gifts from a local organization.

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"Toys for Tots is taking care of gifts for 200 kids," McCreery said.

Organized by the Lawrence County Bikers Association, the group will distribute toys Dec. 12. Families will receive lunch, visit with Santa and a puppet show will provide entertainment.

Red kettles

The goal for the red kettles is to raise $30,000. In 2020, kettles collected $20,000. That wasn't enough to meet all the local needs, McCreery said.

"We were fortunate that we received $12,000 in grants from Lawrence County Community Foundation and we received funds from United Way. That helped tremendously so we were able to help people with paying rent and utility bills."

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He said after the eviction moratorium ended, requests increased for assistance.

Funds collected in the kettles in 2021 will assist local residents in 2022.

"All the money that comes through the kettles stays here and is utilized in Lawrence County," McCreery said.

Bell ringers are crucial to meeting the goal. When the kettles are unmanned, shoppers can still drop money in the kettles, but donations are considerably less when a person isn't ringing the bell.

"It definitely makes a difference," McCreery said.

This year, all the kettles are inside, so volunteers are protected from the cold.

McCreery said volunteer participation is up this year, but there are still plenty of time slots available to ring the bell for the Salvation Army.

He said school groups, church groups and service clubs as well as individual volunteers and clients from the LARC Center have stepped up to volunteer.

Two kettles are at Walmart, there is one at Rural King and another at Price Less IGA.

"We've got a lot more groups that are helping and that's helped a lot," McCreery said.

To sign up for a time, call 812-583-1231.

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"I'm so appreciative of our community and the businesses helping us," McCreery said.

McCreery and his wife Cindy are volunteers. Kayley Russell, their granddaughter, is the SA ministry specialist.

Angel Tree details

Unwrapped Angel Tree gifts must be returned by Dec. 9. Volunteers will place gifts in black bags for families to pick up Dec. 16 from 1-3 p.m. at the Boys & Girls Club of Lawrence County. Walmart has donated wrapping paper and tape for families to wrap their child's gifts. Employees from Bedford Federal and Hoosier Uplands will be assisting.

McCreery said putting the tags out in October has improved community response.

"We did that to give people more time to shop and take advantage of Black Friday deals or if they shop online," he said.

Even though there are no tags on trees, you can still donate a toy to the Salvation Army. Burkes Outlet in Town Fair Center has a donation box for toys. McCreery said those toys are added to the the Angel Tree gifts.

Contact Times-Mail Staff Writer Carol Johnson at cjohnson@tmnews.com or 812-277-7252.

This article originally appeared on The Times-Mail: Salvation Army Christmas programs in full swing in Bedford area