A group of women from Warsaw Community Preschool decided to wear their Christmas spirit as they rang bells in front of the Warsaw Walmart. Bell ringing has been a tradition for them for the past eight years. Shown from left are Stacey Ousley, Evelyn Duncan, Kelly Duncan, Julie Robinson, Susan Simpson and Emily Sroka. Photo by Caleigh Byrer.

By Caleigh Byrer
InkFreeNews

KOSCIUSKO COUNTY — The Salvation Army, an international movement, has been serving Kosciusko County since 1921 to ensure that everyone’s needs are met during the holidays and throughout the year. They are very well known for their hand in making the holiday season enjoyable for everyone.

It’s always a telltale sign that Christmas is right around the corner when we start seeing their red kettles around town, but what does The Salvation Army actually do with the donations they receive?

Donations are used to provide gifts for less fortunate children and families during the holidays. They also help provide food and shelter and cover living costs for those in need throughout the year.

In addition to the kettle bells, the angel tree program is another way The Salvation Army helps spread the holiday cheer and keep it year-round.

The angel tree program allows donors to see anonymous Christmas wish lists of children under the age of 17 in the community and provide gifts for them. The gifts are distributed to the families so they can be placed under the Christmas tree. This ensures that at a minimum, children will receive essentials, such as hats and gloves, toys, books and food.

The Salvation Army has been dedicated to collecting these donations for over a century to support their outreach programs in Kosciusko County and they have made many connections with local residents and businesses through that process.

Charles Neuwirth, manager at the Warsaw Kroger, commented on their long-lasting partnership with The Salvation Army, “They fit our mission as a company, which is hunger relief. We look for organizations that support hunger relief and we know The Salvation Army plays a large role in that. We’ve seen a lot of people participate in their donation process and a lot of what they get will stay local, too.”

Stephanie Overbey, president of the Warsaw Rotary Club, said, “We’ve worked closely with them over the past 95 years; the organization really does a lot to help children in need in our community.”

As a result of the proceeds generated in the county, they have been able to provide more than 225 families with monthly groceries from the “choice pantry,” Christmas gifts for more than 100 families and more than 200 children, work clothes and shoes to help individuals obtain or maintain employment, assistance with living costs for low-income families in the midst of inflation and much more.

The Salvation Army is an organization dedicated to the health, safety and comfort of their community, which has inspired some extra generosity this year. An anonymous couple from Kosciusko County offered to match all local donations generated Dec. 16-17 up to $5,000. While the donors may be a mystery, the impact of their gift is not.

“We really appreciate the support of the Kosciusko County community,” said Envoy Ken Locke of The Salvation Army of Kosciusko County. “We’re able to do what we do because of everyone.”

These large-scale donations help fund weeks of services to the community. From keeping the food pantry stocked to providing funds for emergency financial assistance, these donations are used throughout the year to assist Kosciusko County residents in times when they are struggling to keep a roof over their heads or feed their families.

“We truly appreciate this gift,” Locke said. “When a donor challenges people to give we definitely see our neighbors step up to the challenge. With this gift — and all the donations inspired by it — The Salvation Army can make a real impact in the lives of people in need. Every dollar in the kettle represents hope for another person who is just looking for a hand up in this world.”

The Salvation Army has worked tirelessly throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and recent economic downturn to meet the increased needs of individuals and families who are facing uncertainty and a rising cost of living.

With Christmas just around the corner, they are busy ensuring that families have a joyful holiday filled with hope and love. Donations made to red kettles in November and December keep the hope alive for these families long after Christmas has passed.