Sharing is Caring returns as Salvation Army red kettle campaign continues

Nov. 29—As the Christmas spirit begins to sweep through Northwest Georgia, the Salvation Army of Whitfield, Murray and Gordon County marks the return of its annual Sharing is Caring program.

The program is "designed to provide Christmas assistance for children, ages zero to 12, in Whitfield County," said Lt. Sebastian Arroqui of the Salvation Army.

People shopping at Dalton's Walmarts at 815 Shugart Road and 2545 E. Walnut Avenue may notice large trees near the entrance decorated with cards detailing gift-giving information.

"They are for people who want to sponsor or 'adopt an angel,' so that they can provide gifts in order for kids and families to have Christmas this year," Arroqui said. "The trees will have information that will detail the want or need of a family, as well as the age, gender and ideas or sizes of clothing or toys. (Individuals can) pick that tag, take it off and then go shopping, even at that local store. It also details where to turn the toys or clothes in to on the back of the tag itself."

Arroqui said Sharing is Caring is a vital part of Salvation Army locations across America, but each "looks a little different" in how it is organized.

"Specifically in Dalton and Whitfield County, we partner with the school systems and multiple agencies around town that help us with volunteering and help us with toy drives," he said. "Multiple organizations and groups have their hand in it, like the United Way (of Northwest Georgia) for example. All of them contribute, cooperate and assist in whatever ways they can. Even local civic groups help with volunteers, and school groups with our food box packing. Just a number of different things."

Sharing is Caring received its name "about 20 years ago," said Arroqui. "But it's been here since the Salvation Army's been here. Before that it was labeled our 'Angel Tree' program. We're coming up on our 75th year, so it's been here for a long time."

Arroqui said preparations are extensive.

"We offer and require folks (who want to register for the program) to go through life skill classes or financial assistance classes so that we can offer them something more," he said. "The registrations typically happen around late October or early November and then the process goes through up until about the second week of December."

That is when the Salvation Army will hold its Sharing is Caring Christmas Distribution Day, which involves a "store" set up at the North Georgia Fairgrounds off of Legion Drive where registered families who might not be able to provide their children with gifts for Christmas can "shop" for items purchased through the Walmart "angel trees." The date for this year's Distribution Day is Saturday, Dec. 16.

"Parents come to shop for their kids and pick out clothes and toys," said Arroqui. "Then they take them home, where they can wrap them so that the kids can have a normal Christmas experience without them knowing where those gifts came from. During the Distribution Day we check the parents in, introduce them and tell them how they go through the process. They pick out the right clothes and sizes that they need, as well as toys, then they gather all that up, we check them out and they're on their way."

The toys and clothing are sorted and labeled for the age and gender of each registered child.

"Or if there is a specific need," said Arroqui. "Anything that is specified, we make sure and follow the specifications from the donor. But all of that ends up first in our warehouse and then it's transported to the fairgrounds for the Distribution Day. Everything is given out and we make sure all of our families have exactly what they need for their kids' Christmas."

Running concurrently with Sharing is Caring is the Salvation Army's red kettle and bell-ringing campaign, which is the organization's biggest fundraising event of the season.

"This year we're trying to (raise) $80,000 from here to Dec. 23, which is our last day of bell ringing," said Arroqui. "Right now, we have about six actual paid bell ringers, and then we have volunteers. We have close to 400 hours of volunteers already, which is great. We have a total of about 6,000 hours all season."

Bell ringers are stationed Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at seven locations a day, including both Walmarts, the Walmart Neighborhood Market, Kroger and the Food City in Dalton, as well as the Ingles and Food City in Chatsworth.

"Right now, we're trying to make sure we have Christmas week and the weeks before that all covered by volunteers," Arroqui said. "People are more geared toward Christmas the closer we get to it, so we want to make sure that our presence out there is heavy towards the end of the season so that we're able to get more donations."

Arroqui said just like in years past, the programs are a community effort.

"As always, we are extremely grateful for the community and their generosity, because without the community, our partner agencies and people caring and wanting to spread that Christmas cheer, we wouldn't be able to do this," he said. "It's an honor that we get to do it, but it's not simply just us. It's the whole community coming together and helping provide Christmas to these families."