Red kettles and angel trees will offer many options to help others during the holidays

File photo: Saira Singh, the Red Kettle Campaign coordinator, makes the first donation during the Salvation Army Red Kettle Campaign and Angel Tree kickoff. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2020.

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Posted November 12, 2021 | By Marian Rizzo
Special to the Gazette

With Thanksgiving and Christmas drawing near, Red Kettles and Angel Trees will soon be popping up all over the county.

The Salvation Army will be kicking off both programs at noon on Friday, Nov. 12, at the Ocala Downtown Square with holiday music by Les Muncaster and the Kingdom of the Sun Concert Band, plus guest speakers. To start off the giving, Mayor Kent Guinn and Ocala Police Chief Mike Balken will drop the first dollars into the kettle. Also on display will be an angel tree with gift tags for needy children.

S.A. Major Dwayne Durham is heading up the red kettle program. This year’s theme is “Hope Marches On,” and the goal is $230,000, Dwayne said.

“If we can get the volunteers, we have the capacity of 30 locations, typically all of the Walmarts and Publix stores in Marion County,” he said. “We also have an agreement with Hobby Lobby. It’s a good location.”

Volunteers can expect to do two-hour shifts, between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m., Monday through Saturday. In addition to individuals who sign up, a lot of local groups, churches, and clubs can provide teams of workers. Volunteers should contact volunteer coordinator, Shirley Hsu, at (352) 421-9432.

Over the last few years, technology has entered the red kettle program.

People can give a number of ways, said Dwayne, by cash or check dropped in the kettle, by accessing the QR code sticker on the sign next to the kettle, or by texting the word KETTLE and the number 91999 on a smartphone. People also can set up a “virtual kettle” on the Salvation Army website at salvationarmyflorida.org and send a link to people inviting them to give.

S.A. Major Marion Durham is spearheading the angel tree program for families who came to the Salvation Army in September and October to apply for holiday assistance.

“This year, we’re helping nearly 500 families,” Marion said. “We capped the angel trees at 1,000 children. Each family will receive Thanksgiving and Christmas food boxes, and parents have shared toy wishes, clothing sizes, and other needs for children under the age of 12. When somebody comes to us and applies to our program, we really respond in faith, believing that the public is going to give at the kettle and to children on the angel tree.”

Starting on Nov. 20, every Walmart in Marion County will have a Salvation Army angel tree. Additional trees will be on display at the Paddock Mall and at Sonny’s Barbecue on State Road 200.

An alternative way to give is to go online to Walmartangeltree.com and enter your ZIP Code in the registry. Gifts purchased online will be shipped to the Salvation Army for distribution to the families. Donors also can drop off unwrapped gifts at the Salvation Army office, Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at 2901 NE 14th Street.