Press release from Dearborn & Ohio County Salvation Army

(Lawrenceburg, Ind.) - The Dearborn & Ohio County Salvation Army Christmas Kettle Drive finished up the last week of December 2012.  Locally, the Kettle Drive kicked off the first weekend of November with bell ringers and manned kettles at Kroger.  It continued with more bell ringers and manned kettles at Kroger and Wal-Mart through November and December.  This year kettles were manned by volunteers representing Tanner Valley United Methodist Church, Aurora First United Methodist Church, Hamline Chapel United Methodist Church, Retired Senior Volunteer Program, Lawrenceburg High School Key Club, First Presbyterian Church of Aurora, Hopewell Presbyterian Church of Dillsboro, Beecher Presbyterian Church, Mt. Sinai United Methodist Church, Heart House, and South Dearborn High School Student Government.  Kettles were also manned by individual volunteers Richard Smoker, Dan Toon, Mike Burgess, Tom Cook, Jerry Hacker and Sue Manford.

This year represented the 20^th year of collaboration between South Dearborn High School Student Government and Wal-Mart.  Kettle Drive Chairman Bill Ewan took this anniversary to present Appreciation Plaques to those two organizations.  Shown are Chairman Ewan making presentations to Isaac Bowers, President of Student Government, and to Elizabeth Kelly, Manager of Wal-Mart.

This year was also special as the result of a new program arranged between Wal-Mart and The Salvation Army entitled, “Fill the Truck for local kids”.  At our local Wal-Mart store, the joint program collected 135 toys or articles of children’s clothing.  Our local unit partnered with the Clearinghouse whose volunteers helped in the collection process and utilized the collected items in its Coalition for Christmas program that provided food, clothing and gifts for 118 individuals.

Chairman Ewan also noted that this year Kroger expanded the opportunity for manned kettles continuing its long time support of the Salvation Army Christmas Kettle Drive.  Ewan said, “Kroger has supported our local effort whole heartedly for more than twenty years dating back to the previous store location.  We really appreciate that cooperation!”  Chairman Ewan is shown with fellow volunteer Board member Carol Parcell presenting an Appreciation Plaque to local Kroger Store Manager Pat Ruark.

Chairman Ewan explained that not all the money is raised by manned kettles.  Many business located in the two county area help by permitting us to place countertop kettles in their businesses.  This year participating businesses were:  (in Rising Sun) Main Street Diner, Jack’s Place, Tandy’s IGA, DeVille’s Pharmacy, and Hong Kong Kitchen; (in Dillsboro) Field’s IGA, Janet’s Diner, and DeVille’s Pharmacy; (in Aurora) Tandy’s IGA, Marathon, Gail’s Kitchen; (in Lawrenceburg) Gold Star Chili, Classic Car Wash, Skyline Chili, Wendy’s, Dunkin Donuts, Acapulco’s Mexican Restaurant, Lil Ank’s, and Dearborn Title Insurance; (in Greendale) Marathon/Howie’s Diner, Will’s Grill, Ameristop, LaRosa’s, Greendale Cinema, Whitey’s Package Store, Lawrenceburg Veterinary Clinic, and Stateline Restaurant; (in Sparta/Moores Hill) Tedesco’s Hair Repair, Moores Hill Day-Nite, and Little Hoosiers; (in Bright) Bright BP, Grote’s Trading Post, and Tedesco’s Shell; (in St. Leon) St. Leon BP, St. Leon Exxon, and Alig Shell Station. 

Ewan noted that two of his volunteer Board Members provided critical support and assistance to insure that the Drive ran smoothly.  Board Member Ed Brack handled the northern Dearborn County collection area and Board Member Tony Gilb assisted in the scheduling of volunteers.

However, Chairman Ewan stated, “This effort would not be possible at all without the very generous nature of those who reach deep in the pockets or pocketbooks and give to help their fellow citizens.”  Ewan when on to explain that the current status of the economy had all of them worried about this year’s campaign.  Due to the extreme generosity of many of our fellow citizens, who realized how many more people are in need of aid, this year’s campaign raised $18,163.05, its most in recent memory.  Ewan said that this sum exceed last year by almost $5,000.

Chairman Ewan went to also express his appreciation on behalf of the local unit volunteers to all who also give to the United Way as part of the funding for local programs comes from that organization and its efforts.

The funds raised go to support the various programs of the Salvation Army but the primary program is emergency aid to local residents.  This aid program works with other sources of assistance locally through the SIEOC Office in Aurora to insure that all available aid sources are made available to individuals in need.  Salvations Army funds can be used for rent/mortgage, utilities, transportation (gas), groceries, shelter, clothing, and medicine.  In addition, support is provided to the Clearinghouse for Christmas Coalition, the Cops and Kids program, and a program to provide school necessities called “Tools for Schools” that provided school supplies for 174 students this past year.

The Salvation Army operates a Summer Camp Program that is open to all children without cost.  Locally, our unit provides transportation to the camp free of charge and supplemental assistance in camper supplies where needed. 

While the Salvation Army is noted for its disaster relief efforts, none of the Christmas Kettle Drive proceeds are utilized for these efforts.  Likewise, the Indiana Division of The Salvation Army runs a program called “Operation Compassion From The Homefront” that has mailed over 70,000 Care Packages to our service men and women, without utilizing our Christmas Kettle funds.  The Indiana Division is currently the only branch that is operating this specific program.

On behalf of those many individuals and families who will be helped during 2013 as a result of the generosity of our area, Chairman Ewan expressed, “I want to extend a great big THANK YOU for helping make the Salvation Army Christmas Kettle Drive a success again this year”.