“The Employees Community Fund of the Boeing Co. is proud to continue our support of the Salvation Army and this year we’ve increased our contribution,” said Jim Wright, community fund chairman. Last year, the organization donated $10,000 to get the charity drive rolling.“The board of directors of the Employees Community Fund recognizes the economic hardships this year and voted to increase our contribution to the Salvation Army in support of the outstanding work they do in our community,” Wright said.
“It’s amazing how we see that in difficult times people actually come through and give so we can help others,” said Salvation Army Capt. Jose Santiago of the Chester Corps. “The Merry Christmas Fund is crucial to the success of our Christmas drive and our Christmas assistance program to the community.
“We are blessed to have this partnership with the Delaware County Daily Times because it’s a unique type of program.
“The community sees every day what we do, the needs that we have,” and the stocking logo that runs periodically in the Daily Times shows the amount of donations received so far towards this year’s goal, he added.
The Salvation Army Community Center at 151 W. 15th St. in Chester has received about 300 applications for holiday assistance.
On Monday, the Salvation Army will have a makeup day for more applications, which is expected to bring the total to several hundred applications, Santiago said.
“There’s an increase in support requests, but not only during Christmastime,” he said. “We have seen a request for support even before that when people are coming for rent assistance, utility assistance and gas assistance,” in addition to the need for food because people have lost jobs.
Today at noon, a traditional Thanksgiving meal is being prepared for about 100 people at the Salvation Army Community Center.
Service to the community is now being enhanced by a $1.5 million renovation to the building, which was rededicated in June.
“We added three classrooms, a game room for the children of the community,” Santiago said.
The facelift will help provide new programs to children and senior citizens, and enhance current programs.
Last year’s goal was also $50,000, but area residents and businesses generously contributed $83,944 as of Jan. 30 of this year.
The Salvation Army in Chester has an annual operating budget of about $1.5 million and ended up with a deficit of about $100,000 because of an overall lack of donations, Santiago said.
Santiago, who has been assigned to Chester the past five years, said, “The economy has really affected our area as it has affected many areas in the United States,” causing a decline in donations.
He attributes the latter to the fact that “some people are concerned that they will not have money later, that their job will not be there.”
Daily Times Publisher Frank Gothie said, “Reaching the Merry Christmas Fund’s goal has never been more important because of the growing number of people who need the Salvation Army’s help this Christmas.
“Daily Times readers have never disappointed,” Gothie added. “This year, because things are really tough, I think we’ll see their generosity reach a new level not seen before.”
The Salvation Army will have to discontinue its annual Teddy Bear Tea distribution to children — in which volunteers dress up the stuffed animals — due to the high cost of purchasing them, about $5,000, Santiago said.
However, on a happier note, the separate Red Kettle campaign’s bell ringers began this season’s drive off to a good start by raising $20,532 in 12 days compared to $6,800 last year.
“What a privilege for us to be able to have a partnership with these different companies that trust our integrity and our professionalism and allow us to stand there,” Santiago said.
“Even though the donations (to the Merry Christmas Fund) are important, it’s not all about the money,” Santiago said. “It’s really about love of people for others.”
The Daily Times will periodically list the names of contributors to the Merry Christmas Fund who wish to be identified, a very brief, legible holiday message and the donation amount.
Do not mail donations to the Daily Times.
Mail checks or money orders only to: Salvation Army, Box 1032, Brookhaven, PA 19015.
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