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WHEELING - As the final week of the holiday rings in, the Salvation Army in Wheeling is at about 60% of its goal for its annual Red Kettle Drive.
Lt. John Lawrence of the Salvation Army in Wheeling estimates as much as $60,000 has been collected so far toward its $100,000 goal, with donations going toward Salvation Army projects throughout the coming year.
"I believe the next 10 days will be a crucial time for us," he said. "We actually need more than $100,000 for our programs, but our goal number is based on what we've asked for in past years."
Lawrence noted the overall cost of items has gone up greatly in recent years. He noted that food prices, themselves, have increased 25% in the past six years.
This resulted in the Salvation Army increasing the amount of the gift cards they passed out this holiday season. The gift cards were presented to families accounting for 1,100 residents in Ohio, Marshall, Wetzel and Tyler counties.
Many more people are struggling not just to pay for food, but to put gas in their car to go to work and pay for home utilities, he added. This makes it harder for parents to purchase toys at Christmas time for their children.
On Wednesday, toys and other items were distributed that were collected as part of the Salvation Army's local "Angel Tree" drive. There were 505 angels on the tree last year, and 396 in 2022.
"We have been blessed by neighbors helping neighbors and helping with our Angel Tree," Lawrence said.
Dr. Ricardo Zambito has served as chair of this year's Red Kettle Drive, and he spoke of his experiences while ringing bells at the kettles.
One woman approaching the kettle tossed in a few coins and told him, "It's all I have."
"I told her it was OK and that she was giving from the heart," Zambito continued.
Then, he said, the woman started crying.
"She told me, 'The Salvation Army has always given to me, and I want to give back,'" Zambito said. "Then I asked, 'Is it OK If I hug you?'"
Zambito said he cried, hugged and prayed with a number of people coming to the kettles. He noted the experience convinced him that "faith and the good in people is still there."
"People don't realize it until they go outside and see it," he added. "I thank the Salvation Army for what they do. The experience really opened my eyes to what the Ohio Valley is all about."
The Salvation Army is still in need of volunteers for the week leading up to the Christmas holiday. According to Lawrence, another goal this year was for 100 organizations to provide volunteers to ring bells. So far 87 have participated.
"With a week to go, I think we can get close to that goal," he added.
Those wanting to volunteer should register online at registertoring.com, or call the Salvation Army of Wheeling at 304-233-4400.