GILROY — More than a century ago, a Salvation Army Captain in San Francisco put a crab in a pot and asked people to put in money to keep the pot “boiling” so that he could buy meals for the homeless.
Thus began the long-standing tradition dubbed the “Red Kettle Campaign.”
The campaign was off to a great start in Gilroy on Friday, when the kick-off luncheon and it’s raffle of donated items brought in $15,000 that will be used to buy toys for children in need this Christmas.
“Money given to The Salvation Army through our Red Kettle Campaign stays in our local area, so it’s a great way to give back and know you’re helping your local community,” said Demetrio Villarreal, Corps Officer for The Salvation Army in Gilroy.
Funds raised help pay for year-round programming, as well as seasonal offerings, such as the Thanksgiving Dinner, Christmas Food & Toy Distribution, and other seasonal services.
The kick-off luncheon for the campaign at the Wedgewood Banquet Center at Eagle Ridge and more than 90 guests came together to support the annual fundraising drive that helps fund the nonprofit’s work in Gilroy.
The Gilroy Corps provides meals for the homeless five days a week, youth programs, womens’ weekly support groups, monthly food boxes, PG&E assistance, rental assistance (when funds are available), religious programs (in Spanish) and social services, according to their website.
Part of The Salvation Army’s Gilroy work includes giving toys to children at Christmas. Last year about 1,400 children received toys, said Ellen Torchio, the Office Manager of Social Services who helps coordinate the efforts.
Since The Salvation Army likes to see each child get at least $20 in gifts, the total cost of the toy drive can easily reach $28,000.
To help make sure children get toys on Christmas Day, The Salvation Army runs an angels program where they put the age and dream toy of a child on an angel-shaped piece of paper and hang it on Christmas Trees that are placed in community locations. People can remove an angel from the tree and fulfill that child’s wish by buying the toy and placing it underneath the Christmas Tree.
“The holidays can be an especially difficult time of year for some families, and each family is dealing with their own, unique set of circumstances,” said Villarreal. “The Salvation Army aims to alleviate some of that burden so that families in need can still have a bright and merry holiday.”
For more information about donation or volunteer opportunities call (408) 848-5373 or visit www.salvationarmygilroy.org. To fulfill the wish of a child by buying a toy on a child’s wish list, pick up a wish at a Christmas tree located at Stephen’s Episcopal Church, the Gilroy Presbyterian Church or the Nob Hill on First Street.
For more information about donation or volunteer opportunities call (408) 848-5373 or visit www.salvationarmygilroy.org. To fulfill the wish of a child by buying a toy on a child’s wish list, pick up a wish at a Christmas tree located at Stephen’s Episcopal Church, the Gilroy Presbyterian Church or the Nob Hill on First Street.
