Salvation Army brings Christmas to children, adults
By JOLENE CRAIGArticle Photos
PARKERSBURG - About 2,000 area children will have a Christmas this year thanks to the Salvation Army.
The organization distributed bags of toys, stockings and food to 590 families Friday morning, said Maj. Vernon Dolby with the Salvation Army Parkersburg Corps.
"The 590 baskets of food are just for Wood County," Dolby said. "This does not include the five other counties we serve."
Volunteers helped hand out large plastic bags of toys and wrapping paper to parents.
"The toys are not wrapped because I wanted the parents to have a sense of dignity and something involved in the gift," Dolby said. "We need to give them something with the help and that is pride."
Most of the toys were donated through the Angel Tree program and others were purchased by the Salvation Army.
"The generosity of the people with Angel Trees is really amazing," said volunteer John Meyer.
Dolby said the community member or members who provided Christmas presents for a family of four children went a step above and gave three of the children bicycles.
"We were really blessed," he said.
Dolby said the organization was worried it wouldn't have enough Angel Trees taken, but the community was able to help.
"We were worried at first and then it picked up," he said. "It seemed like every time we thought of something a child had asked for and we didn't have, someone would come in with it."
Dolby said the Salvation Army decided to go into assisted living facilities and nursing homes this year to give everyone a gift.
"We think about the young kids, but the older people need gifts, too," he said.
Money to pay for the meals and presents comes from donations to the Salvation Army and from the organization's red kettles, which began Nov. 14.
Dolby said he is worried about making this year's $140,000 goal with the economic situation and the to-date donations.
"We had a budget meeting yesterday and the red kettles are really down," Dolby said. "Right now, we're going to get out to the people and we'll worry about the bills after Christmas."
Meyer has volunteered to help the Salvation Army give out Christmas gifts for the past 30 years because it is a way he can give to those in need.
"I don't have the money to donate, but I do have the time," Meyer said. "If you've never done it, you'll be blessed every time."
Meyer said that being a part of the organization's annual giveaway is what the Christmas season is all about.
"Seeing these people with smiles on their faces makes my whole year," he said. "The spirit of Christmas is all about giving and sharing love."
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CrazyLarryJones
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12-20-08 6:46 PM
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Just put the gifts under the tree and the kids will think that is how Santa left them. That is what mom did with five kids. If they have to be wrapped, why not use newspaper? The kids already know they are poor, no need to put on airs.
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coolncrazy714
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12-20-08 6:08 PM
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True, but why do you think people went to the salvation army? Dont you think if they could afford wrapping paper, they could afford gifts. I bought some for my daughter but a lot of the others receiving handouts as Shelley likes to put it may not be as fortunate.
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southgrad02
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12-20-08 4:12 PM
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The Salvation Army can only do so much. Buy a roll of paper at the dollar store and be happy you got presents this year. There are less fortunate!
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coolncrazy714
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12-20-08 2:44 PM
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I am just stating the facts. did not mean to offend you.
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coolncrazy714
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12-20-08 11:12 AM
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No wrapping paper was given out. Unless it went to certain people, I know my daughter did not receive any.
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