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Salvation Army Capt. David Robinson speaks at Simmons First National Bank in downtown Pine Bluff during the kick off of the agency’s Red Kettle and Angel Tree fundraising efforts. ‘We have done well in the past and I know we can reach our goal of $87,000 this year,’ Robinson said. The Angel Tree program has 389 families who will benefit by ensuring gifts for needy children on Christmas morning. The trees will be located throughout the community. (Special to The Commercial/William Harvey)
The Salvation Army of Pine Bluff kicked off the 2012 Red Kettle Drive and Angel Tree program Wednesday at Simmons First National Bank in downtown Pine Bluff.
The agency serves Jefferson, Grant, Arkansas, Lincoln and Cleveland counties.
Salvation Army Capt. David Robinson announced the 2012 goal to raise $87,000 during this Red Kettle season. The group reached its 2011 goal of $86,000 in 2011.
“In order to have another successful year and reach our goal we need the communities that we serve to not only give of themselves financially but also to volunteer their time,” Robinson said. “There are many ways in which the community can help the Salvation Army serve those in need including volunteering to ring a bell at one of our 11 local locations, or working with our Angle Tree program to ensure that the needy children have a gift to open on Christmas morning.”
The ringing of the bells will begin Friday and continue through Dec. 24. To date, the Salvation Army has more than 100 volunteers committed to ring the bell at 11 locations, but is still in need of additional volunteers.
This year, the Salvation Army will have several Christmas Trees with 817 Angels and seniors available for adoption benefiting 389 families. This is a 30 percent increase in the number served over 2011 which consisted of 304 families and 628 Angels and seniors. The trees will be located throughout the community including, USA Drug Store on 28th Avenue and the Salvation Army.
To volunteer for the Red Kettle Drive or the Angel Tree Adoption program, interested participants may call the Salvation Army at 534-0504.
For more information about local Angel Tree locations, contact Capt. Joanna Robinson at the local office.