Salvation Army, businesses fill in the gaps

'Tis the season to be jolly and it just got a bit brighter, thanks to the cooperation between the Salvation Army and two local businesses that teamed up to help the needy during the Christmas holiday.

On Tuesday Shay Oil Company said its 17 area Chevron gas stations will take part in a fundraising program to benefit the Salvation Army's Annual Community Campaign in Yuma County.

Donation cards shaped like the Salvation Army's red shield are selling for $1 in their stores. Customers who buy a card can sign them and they are then displayed on store walls.

"We're just a go-between, it's actually our customers who's doing this," Rusty Griffin, a Shay supervisor, said. "We're proud to do it and just glad to give our customers the opportunity."

The Annual Community Campaign includes all Salvation Army's activities. Half of the proceeds from the donation cards goes toward the organization's Boys and Girls Club and the other half supports their soup kitchen, youth and senior programs, the social service office, and their remaining projects, according to Capt. Jonathan Harvey of the Salvation Army.

Last year the donation cards raised $4,000, yet they are hoping to boost that to $5,000 this year, Harvey said. People can choose to help in any way they can, be it food donations, clothes, toys or gift cards, he said.

"We have currently over 1,200 families registered to receive assistance," Harvey said. "There's really not any one item we're seeking, we just put the call out there and allow people to make that decision."

Any other business or church who cares to assist with the donation cards may telephone the Salvation Army at 783-0181, Harvey said.

"One of the things we determined this year is to focus on enriching family life," Harvey said. "We do it in such a way that their Christmas is enhanced by what we are able to do."

In addition, Denny's Restaurants in Yuma and around the country will host the Salvation Army's Angel Tree program that is aimed to provide new toys and gifts for children who might otherwise go without.

Tags on Denny's Christmas trees will identify a specific child, with guidelines to select gender, age and type of gift that customers can buy for a needy child. They can then drop it off at any city of Yuma fire station. The Salvation Army will distribute the gifts, Harvey said. He added, the children listed on the tags are genuine names of persons registered with the Salvation Army for help.

"Our goal is to not just provide a $5 toy, although they are grateful for that, but provide a wonderful Christmas," Harvey said.

The goal is to really provide more than one gift. They also try to include clothing but that is not always possible, Harvey said. He also said, he hopes other businesses follow Denny's lead and contact them to include themselves in the Angel Tree program. Any business interested must notify the Salvation Army by Dec. 7.

So far all local Wal-Mart stores, Yuma's Olive Garden restaurant and five AEA Credit Unions are alos participating in the Angle Tree program. Harvey said he believes it is important for people in the community to take care of their neighbors.

"We never know when we ourselves may be in need," he said. "When the world falls apart around you, it's nice to know that someone around you cares enough to help. We just ask people to be generous and care."

----

William Roller can be reached at

wroller@yumasun.com or 539-6858.