Salvation Army exceeds in helping for the holidays

WARNER ROBINS, Ga. – The Salvation Army hosts many programs to help those in need throughout the holiday season.

The Angel Tree and the Red Kettle are two programs the organization hosts during the holidays to raise money and give Christmas gifts to children in the community. 

According to Warner Robins Corps Officer Captain Paula Blevins, both programs had a great turnout, exceeding the amount of donations compared to last year. She said many children received Christmas gifts this year thanks to the Angel Tree Program, which the organization hosts at this time of year.

Blevins said during September and October, they open an application process for parents and guardians to fill out if they want their children to be a part of the Angel Tree. 

Parents are also encouraged to provide them with a wish list of up to four items, including toys, clothes and shoes. Parents must provide their child’s shoe size and clothing size. The program is open to all children between zero to 12, but Blevins said the organization does make some exceptions.

After the application closes, the real work begins. Blevins explained that they created an angel tag with the child’s name, gender, age, and wish list, available to anyone wanting to adopt. She said the person who adopts, the ‘donor,’ goes out and buys the items on the wish list. The donor then drops off the items at the Salvation Army, and there is a distribution day where the families come in and pick up their gifts for their angels. 

According to Blevins, last year, The Salvation Army had 501 angels. This year, they had a considerable increase, reaching approximately 620 angels. She shares that they even had late requests from parents who wanted their children to be a part of the program, meaning there were an additional 22 children. All of the children were from Houston, Peach, and Pulaski counties. 

She also shared they had the same number of donors as they had children, and many organizations in the community helped children receive Christmas gifts this year. She said many churches and organizations adopt up to 400 angels and place their tags at their churches or businesses to encourage people to adopt. 

The Red Kettles is another program the organization hosts this time of year. Blevins said the kettles have been around for a long time and are the largest and most significant fundraiser any Salvation Army location has. 

Volunteers stand outside every Walmart in Perry and Warner Robins, Kroger or Hobby Lobby and encourage people to donate. Blevins said it is iconic for the Salvation Army and starts before Thanksgiving, up until Dec. 23. Volunteers ring every day except Sundays, Thanksgiving and Christmas. 

There is also now a virtual kettle for people who don’t carry cash. A QR code is on each kettle stand, where people can donate.

“The Salvation Army we have been doing this for many years and it is extremely vital to our efforts to be able to serve these communities with the needs that we have here every day,” said Blevins. 

She shares that people drop in change, dollar bills, and even checks. Blevins said all of it adds up, and each donation helps. 

“People think that a few coins out of your pocket don’t mean much but when you add it all together, it means a lot,” said Blevins. 

She said they don’t have the final numbers of how much they raised this year, but she knows the organization is ahead of where they were at the same time last year. She shared she is glad they have already exceeded the previous year’s numbers.

“We know that we are moving ahead. The need is great in this community and we’re trying to help the community understand that the Salvation Army is here, and we are here to serve people,” said Blevins.

She shared that the organization is working on new things for 2024, including a food pantry. Blevins said she and her husband, Capt. Tim Blevins, have only been officers for six months, but are already striving to help the community more next year. 

Blevins shared that they want to help people in any way they can by providing them with food or shelter. She said there is a domestic violence shelter for men, women, and children who are in an abusive situation. They do not disclose the location of the shelter due to safety reasons.

“We need the community to come in and support us in various ways through making a contribution to the Red Kettle or maybe volunteer opportunities. We have a lot of things that need to be done. We just need the community support, we’re trying to help the community and we want them to support what we’re doing,” said Blevins.

She also said there are many programs at local churches, and they also hope to start a music program next year.

“We have a lot of things going on and all these programs are designed to just be able to help and serve people in the community with what their needs are,” said Blevins.

Blevins wishes everyone a Merry Christmas and encourages anyone who wants to volunteer — or has a need — to call them at (478) 922-2226 or visit their Warner Robins location at 96 Thomas Boulevard.

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