'Tis the season for The Salvation Army Somerset office
The Salvation Army is entering a very busy time of year and Gale Purbaugh, director of The Salvation Army Somerset Service Center, said all The Salvation Army does for those in need wouldn't be possible if it weren't for the volunteers.
"We say a big thank you to all the volunteers, businesses, churches, individuals that call and say 'what's next?' 'What can we do to help?'," she said. "We've been helping as many people as we can. The need is so great right now."
Just in the last month, the Salvation Army launched its Red Kettle Campaign which will help the nonprofit continue to serve families and individuals beyond the most difficult situations. The Red Kettle Campaign supports families and individuals in need through a variety of support services including feeding programs, utility/rent assistance and Emergency Disaster Services. The Salvation Army also offers housing, recovery and rehabilitation, seasonal assistance, as well as youth empowerment and spiritual programs.
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Somerset's center is signing up groups, individuals and businesses to help with the Red Kettle campaign.
Through Dec. 24, the iconic red kettles will be stationed in Somerset County at both of the doors of the Somerset Walmart, Glades Pike Giant Eagle, Meyersdale Food Lion and Confluence Food Mart.
Donations can be made virtually at any time by visiting salvationarmywpa.org/LoveBeyond.
Helping others
Last week, The Salvation Army delivered 50 meals from the Fraternal Order of Eagles for Thanksgiving dinner.
They just distributed coats to 185 families in Somerset County through the Christmas Coats program.
"Christmas Coats went well. We had 11 volunteers help," Purbaugh said.
"The service organizations in our county work so well together. We all help each other. If we have a client come in that has a need we can't provide, we send them to one who can. We all work to get it done. I don't think other counties have that. Somerset County is unique in that situation. It's beautiful to see. And the churches will pitch in when we need help with something too. We'll just send an email and they help."
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There are 232 children listed for the Angel Tree program at this point with more names expected to be added, she said. There are boxes for toys at all the First Peoples Banks in the county and at the Dollar General in Stoystown. Purbaugh said she saw that a young boy in Rockwood sold hot chocolate at Dough Girls and split his profits between The Salvation Army and Toys for Tots to buy toys for children.
The heating program is already in full swing as well, she said.
"People don't have money to heat their homes," Purbaugh said. "Operation Warm Hearts is a program for helping to get heating oil for people who can't afford it. It's a struggle to afford things. People are having to make the choice to put food on the table or pay their electric bill. They need help. There is no shame in asking for help. We all need help at some point."
The Salvation Army was also in Somerset's Christmas parade last Saturday.
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"Somerset County is so giving of time and talents and resources and I can't imagine doing this job in a community that's not like that," Purbaugh said. "It's God's work, but people who are in the community help too."
Call 814-445-9232 to volunteer.
This article originally appeared on The Daily American: The Salvation Army Somerset office kicks off campaign