The familiar sound of ringing bells and the sight of a red kettle has become a Christmas tradition. The Orange County Salvation Army again will be having the kettles at stores in Vidor, Mauriceville, Bridge City, West Orange, Pinehurst, and Orange. This year, though, a few things are changing.
Individuals, churches, civic groups, or businesses are now able to volunteer to ring a bell by signing up online through RegisterToRing.com. The site allows a volunteer to reach the Orange County Army list of volunteers. There’s also a place for people to donate to the local Army’s Christmas effort.
Also, this year, the Orange County Salvation Army has set up a matching donation kettle program. A business or group may “sponsor” a bell-ringing day by matching the countywide donations.
Captain Jan Zuniga said the kettles in the county average a total of $1,500 each weekday and $2,500 on a weekend day. A business, church, or individual may sponsor kettles for the day by donating $1,500 for a weekday or a $2,500 for a weekend day.
For the donation, the business or group will be able to have their logo at every kettle site in the county on the specified day. More information is available through 409-553-4872.
Zuniga said the Orange County Army this year is increasing the goal for kettle collections. Last year, the Army raised about $65,000 and this year hopes to get $85,000.
The kettle money goes to support many seasonal programs at the Salvation Army along with programs throughout the year.
A special kettle kick-off is set for Tuesday, November 26, and the kettles will first appear at stores on “Black Friday,” November 29.
The annual Angel Tree project already has registration for families and the time is ready to start to make sure the children have presents. Paper angels are filled out with a child’s first name and age, along with some wishes. Donors then buy items on the list and return the gifts for the Army to distribute.
Captain Zuniga said Orange County has more than 300 registered for the Angel Tree project. The local Inland Orange mill this week picked up 100 of the paper angels for employees to donate the items.
Individuals, churches, clubs, families, businesses, and industries are invited to adopt an angel. They may contact the local Army. Christmas trees decorated with the angels will be set up in Walmart stores on November 23.
The Tenth Annual Granger Chevrolet-KOGT canned food drive will be held on Thursday, December 5. The event has become a big community party as people gather at Granger Chevrolet to drop off donations of non-perishable foods. KOGT’s Gary Stelly has a live radio broadcast during the event.
Schools and other groups, including the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, have competed to see how many pounds of food they can collect and donate. The food items are split in half between the Army and Orange Christian Services.
Later in that same morning, the Service League of Orange is sponsoring the annual Toy Coffee at the home of Paul and Raul Burch on Lindenwood Street.
The Service League began the Toy Coffee in 1956 as a way to help the local Salvation Army. A showcase house is chosen and the owners open it for public holiday tours. The entrance fee is a new, unwrapped toy for the Army, or a cash donation.
-Margaret Toal, KOGT-
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