Salvation Army appreciative of community support

Thanks to the support of the community, the Front Royal Salvation Army Corps can look back on a successful 2021 Christmas Season. The group raised $42,585.09 through the Kettle Campaign. More importantly, children and seniors throughout the area received gifts and families also received food baskets.

Corps Captain Ann Hawk was pleased with the results. Although the fundraising goal had been $50,000, an uptick of COVID in the area limited some volunteers, reducing the number of locations and hours the kettles were present. To have achieved 85% of the goal despite these challenges was certainly an accomplishment. COVID could not stop the generous hearts of people in the community. Angel Tree gifts were given to 111 children in Warren County and Strasburg, and 300 children in Page County; in addition, 49 of those families received food baskets. A total of 396 seniors in nursing homes also received a gift.

“We could not have accomplished any of this without the support of the community,” Captain Hawk said. “We had 102 volunteers who gave 1,014 hours of their time to help others this season. The outpouring of financial support and the hours people gave were inspiring.”

Hawk singled out the Economic Development Authority for special thanks. The organization allowed the Salvation Army to use their building to collect and distribute the Angel Tree gifts. She also expressed appreciation to Walmart, Rural King and Big Lots for allowing the Army to ring the bell at kettles in front of their stores. In addition, she added, many local stores hosted counter kettles.

“I wish I could thank each person in the community individually,” Hawk said. “I hope that every person who put their loose change or a few dollars into a kettle, or who purchased toys or food for families, knows in their hearts that they made a difference to someone during the holiday season.”

For more information, contact Capt Ann Hawk at 540-635-4020.