By Brigid Korce
Special to the herald
During the holiday season of compassion, love and generosity, most of us are used to the familiar sights and sounds of the Salvation Army Red Kettle matched with a bell ringer. Many do not see the collective impact of our loose change at work throughout the year.
Our local Salvation Army board is made up of devoted volunteers who see that 100 percent of your donations to the Red Kettle are used locally, for local people in need. I ring the bell each year, and each year I am deeply touched by the interactions I have with the people giving.
People stop and share personal stories of how they were once helped by the Salvation Army as they deposit whatever change they have into the kettle. I am moved by how many people who appear to have nothing want to offer the few cents they have to the kettle. I am also impressed by those who have more than enough who share without hesitation.
As a member of the Community Emergency Assistance Coalition, I am able to see a portion of the Red Kettle funds and the numerous dedicated volunteers (many who already have a full-time, demanding career) at work throughout the year. In the past three years, more than 800 families have received emergency assistance during a particularly trying time in life.
Many are facing the loss of housing or job because of lack of transportation. Typical applicants are working families in which someone has lost a job, been injured at work or has experienced an extended illness without paid time off. Many more applicants are disabled or elderly living with a fixed income, making an emergency expense impossible to face.
This emergency assistance is an investment in our community and the people who live here. So many people do not have a financial or social safety net during times of adversity. Not all applicants are helped financially, but all applicants receive one-on-one emergency counseling to help assess budgetary needs and locate resources in the community.
The most inspiring aspect of the Red Kettle Campaign is that many average people with modest incomes are able to donate the change in their pockets. Individually, most of us could not afford to pay one person’s rent or fix a car for a single parent to get to work, but together, we are able to do this for hundreds of people each year. In small, rural La Plata County, Salvation Army’s actions are impacting lives each day throughout the year. In my home, we collect all the loose change that collects throughout the season (it’s a lot with five people) and deposit it in the kettle.
I encourage you to please consider donating to or ring the bell for Salvation Army this holiday season.
Brigid Korce is the Emergency Services Program manager at Housing Solutions for the Southwest in Durango. Reach her at 259-1086. Anyone interested in becoming a Salvation Army bell ringer should contact Jim Bolen at 259-1506.
