More than 425 children in Beaufort, Hyde, Martin, Bertie, Tyrrell and Washington counties will have a Merry Christmas this year, thanks to the generosity of the community and the hard work of volunteers and staff members at The Salvation Army of Washington.

The distributions of The Salvation Army’s Angel Tree gifts took place Thursday and Friday of last week, with one in Washington and another in Plymouth. In addition to the 425 kids who received Christmas presents, 100 “silver angels” were given hefty food boxes to help ensure their families enjoyed a bountiful holiday season.

“A lot of them wouldn’t have Christmas without our assistance,” explained The Salvation Army of Washington’s Lt. Teresa Bush. “Some of them are very grateful and some of them have amazing stories if you take the time to listen to them. It’s just a great opportunity to minister with them as well.”

Early in December, the Angel Tree program faced a donation shortage, with more than 200 angels still unaccounted for on the day they were all due to be returned. Because of a few generous donors, however, those needs were all met in time for distribution day.

“The community stepped up to make sure the kids were taken care of,” Teresa Bush said. “… We thank our community donors for stepping up and helping us provide Christmas to the ones in need.”

KETTLE DONATIONS DOWN

Today marks the final day of The Salvation Army’s Red Kettle campaign, and the nonprofit is still short of its budgeted goal for the fundraiser. As of Friday, donations to the campaign were approximately $9,000 short of the budgeted goal, which are critical funds that help the organization serve more than 3,800 people each year in its six-county service area.

“The challenge this year is how Thanksgiving fell on the calendar,” The Salvation Army Lt. Karl Bush wrote. “Our national agreement with Wal-Mart allows us to begin ringing the bell at their stores the day after Thanksgiving. With having one week less between Thanksgiving and Christmas this year, we have five less days of bell ringing at the two Wal-Mart stores in our service area. Wal-Mart corporate allowed us to do an Angel Tree toy drive in early November, during which we were also allowed to ring bells, which did help fill in the gap.”

Red Kettle funds make up a major portion of The Salvation Army of Washington’s budget each year, providing food for the hungry, emergency relief for disaster survivors, rehabilitation for those suffering from drug and alcohol abuse and clothing and shelter for people in need.

“Christmas is a joyful season of love and preparation: decorating our homes, buying perfect gifts for our loved ones and cooking the perfect meal for holiday guests,” read a Salvation Army press release. “For people experiencing homelessness and poverty, Christmas can be a season of worry: having a warm bed, food for their children or a safe place for their family. The Salvation Army is there to stand in the gap for people in need, providing hope and resources.”

Karl Bush said The Salvation Army has had considerable help from volunteers this year. While some bell ringers are paid, volunteers brought in 55% of the Red Kettle funds raised this year.

To support to The Salvation Army of Washington, visit give.salvationarmycarolinas.org or mail checks to The Salvation Army of Washington, P.O. Box 877, Washington, NC 27889. To donate stock gifts, call 1-800-215-0196.