WORST OF TIMES BRINGS OUT BEST IN COMMUNITY
The Salisbury Corps of The Salvation Army has announced the results of the 2008 Red Kettle Campaign – Kettles for Kids and Community. A total of $162,813 was donated to kettles in Wicomico, Worcester and Somerset counties. This represents a 62% year-over-year increase. In addition, kettles were 100% manned by volunteers unlike previous years where a significant number of bell-ringers were paid. Campaign co-chairmen Jim Perdue and Sheriff Mike Lewis called The Lower Shore community to action and it certainly responded by volunteering and donating in record numbers. Officials at The Salvation Army report that 442 individuals and 255 organizations volunteered their time to cover 4,753 hours of bell-ringing.
Captain Cameron Henderson, Corps Officer, stated that the local Army had braced for a difficult fundraising season due to the poor economy and how that would impact consumers and potential donors. With requests for Christmas help and other services at an all time high and with the prospect of great continued need as winter heating bills arrive and seasonal employment ends, The Salvation Army desperately needed a strong Campaign year to be able to continue to provide help to those who need it most.
In addition to the successful Kettle Campaign, donors sent in checks and cash to help with the effort bringing the total Christmas drive to $321,108 to date with funds still being received. “This is the best Christmas season the Salisbury Salvation Army has ever had in its 94 year history,” said Henderson. “We started the season with a blessing of the Lord Jesus, since it is His season, and we asked Him to bless us. It is His work that we do, and He knows what we need. He has been faithful to help us!”
Officials at The Salvation Army pointed to key volunteer leadership and media support in the Campaign’s success. In addition to Perdue and Lewis, Steve Hammond, Anchor/Managing Editor of WBOC/FOX21 and past Kettle Campaign Chairman, served as a media partner along with both stations. Delmarva Broadcasting (WICO, Cat Country) served as radio media sponsor. Both media partners produced and aired public service announcements, aired news stories and provided other program opportunities to support the Kettle drive and to encourage volunteer participation. Perdue and Captain Henderson were also guests on Phil Tilghman’s “One-on-One” program on PAC 14.
The Salvation Army received unprecedented support from the blog site Salisbury News and its editor Joe Albero. Through his blog, Albero provided commentary, news stories and continuous updates of the bell-ringing schedule at three prime locations. He was able to post unexpected openings in real time and get them filled immediately by his readers – a powerful and unique benefit to the Kettle Campaign.
“We cannot thank enough the hundreds of volunteers across the Lower Shore who so willingly gave of their time and/or donated to the Kettles – we wish we could name each and everyone”, said Henderson. “Your work has been remarkable and it has and will continue to make a difference in the lives of those suffering in our community”.
One name that was mentioned, however, was Danny Foxwell, a volunteer who coordinated so much the kettles, working tirelessly day and night throughout the campaign. Foxwell donated over eighty hours of his time per week to make the campaign a success.
People still wanting to help should call The Salvation Army at 410-749-7771. Donations can be mailed to The Salvation Army, 407 Oak Street, Salisbury, MD 21804. All funds raised stay in the community.
About the Salvation Army:
The Salvation Army, an evangelical part of the universal Christian church, has been supporting those in need in His name without discrimination since 1865. Nearly 33 million Americans receive assistance from The Salvation Army each year through the broadest array of social services that range from providing food for the hungry, relief for disaster victims, assistance for the disabled, outreach to the elderly and ill, clothing and shelter to the homeless and opportunities for underprivileged children. About 83 cents of every dollar raised is used to support those services in nearly 9,000 communities nationwide. For more information, go to http://www.salvationarmyusa.org.
No one else has it Joe. Congratulations Salvation Army. It's been a long time since our community came together like this and its something we should be very proud of.
ReplyDeleteJob well done by all. Good job everyone.
ReplyDeleteWow, that's fantastic! Thanks to Joe and the members of our community.
ReplyDeleteThis is why I love coming to Salisbury News. Outstanding work.
ReplyDeleteI was told many years ago to give your change to those who need it more then you do. May God bless you all.
ReplyDeleteWow is right, a group applause in Anonymous fashion for each and everyone who helped out. There IS a Santa Claus!
ReplyDeleteJoe, you did a great job, I am proud they noted you for your contribution.
ReplyDeleteI recall last years numbers being around $100,000.00. This is quite impressive, especially in a recession. I can think of a couple of other local tax burdons that could take note of this fundraising effort.
ReplyDeleteDon't get me started!
ReplyDeleteIts like the blogg took a life of its own with Jump-Start Joe. Outstanding.
ReplyDeleteJoe I can not thank you enough for making it so easy for me to sign up and volunteer to ring the bell. It truley made me have the Christmas Spirit and I loved greeting people with a smile.
ReplyDeleteSalvation Army was very blessed in having you step up and helping them. Keep up the great job Joe and your supporters will be there to help.
I think during these tough times, more people can relate to the need! We all know people affected greatly by this economy. So now t becomes personal.....
ReplyDeleteJoe, you sounded the call for help, and kept it going day in and day out, and the most beautiful thing happened: the community responded, and overwhelmingly.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely beautiful
Salisbury News Delivered Brother!
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year to all.
How could it miss, when you put people like Jim Perdue and Mike Lewis to chair the fund raiser and then get a force like SBY News behind it in the most sincere way and lastly do it all in a community like the Eastern Shore. They say you realy get to know people in tough times. well these are tough times and all that I mentioned and the generous people of the three counties showed what makes this place so great. It's why I love my home town.
ReplyDeleteMy family has fallen on hard times. My husband has had to go on disability due to a disease that will eventually take his life. My income has taken a dive due to the current economic situation. I have never walked passed a kettle without dropping whatever little I could in the bucket.
ReplyDeleteThere is always someone that is hurting more that you. Please remember that.
Greg Bassett & Barrie Tilghman:
ReplyDeleteHow about a certificate of appreciation by the mayor for Joe Albero at the City Council meeting next week?
Now that's the way to put Christ back in Christmas!
ReplyDeleteIn the past I've always been a Bum Bug. This brought me a new meaning of Christmas, I always gave but this launched a new Christmas tradition for life. Giving to those in need is where it's at. I'll have to put that IPOD, or Blackberry on hold.
ReplyDeleteMaterial things are nice however it doesn't bring you the satisfaction of knowing you helped someone in need. My own personal Festivus for a better quality of life for everyone.
Another, unspoken element to this success is a lady named Pyda Sterling who helped behind the scenes. I was disappointed that she was not mentioned in the article as well.
ReplyDeleteKudos to all of you, INCLUDING Pyda!
Don't forget Kay Kay, everytime I called she was the one answering most of the time and calling to make sure I had my schedule. she was also very sick for over a week but kept on trucking
ReplyDeleteHEY, where is webster??
ReplyDeleteIf Webster did not want to ring the freakin bell then he did not want to ring the bell. It is America I did ring the bell anon 2:37 I bet a pay check you did not. So what Joe and others did was from the heart. I could careless about the 40,000 that did not want to help out. It was a sucess.
ReplyDelete10:01 pm, One thing I noticed, and I am a first time ringer this year, is that you and your friends under similar circumstances were always dropping money into the pot more than most. It may have been only a nickel, but you gave. It all added up to that fantastic number we all see. Thank you, God and I love you.
ReplyDeleteAn observation- I rang the bell twice, once for my company who had commited a day, and once to fill in thru Joe. Both times I noticed that those who looked the least likely to afford making a contribution would step up and put someething in the kettle. Rich well kept sons of guns just avoided eye contact and strutted by, mostly. Interesting, at least.
ReplyDeleteJoe great Job it will come back to 10 fold. I can assure you of that. I think all the people that gave thier time did an awesome job. I did also for the first time this tear it got me in the Christ(mas) spirit. I will do every year that I can. Joe you and all your posse LOL did an great job !!
ReplyDelete