Names of a host of needy children remain on Angel Trees scattered throughout Emporia, and that’s a concern for the Salvation Army’s new captains, Hope and Jeremiah Burris.
Funds from the annual Kettle Drive also are lagging a little, they said.
“We’re a little behind our pace we should be at,” Jeremiah said. “Some of it’s weather, some of it’s we started a week later. I didn’t want to start before Thanksgiving.”
As of Monday, the drive had about $15,000 of its $40,000 goal.
The Angel Trees, with the plentiful name tags, are a greater concern.
Each year, names of children from birth through 16 years are hung on Christmas trees throughout Emporia. The tags include gift wishes, as well as clothing and sizes needed.
“When I went to Wal-Mart on Sunday, the trees were still full,” Hope said. “I think it’s because of the weather this weekend. I just don’t want to get to next weekend” with names still hanging on the trees.
In addition to Wal-Mart, trees are located at ESB Financial, both locations of Bank of America, Tyson Fresh Meats, Emporia State University Memorial Union, the Stage store in Emporia, and KansasLand Bank in Americus.
Donors may choose the ages and genders of the children they wish to help, shop for the gifts, and return them — unwrapped — either to the Salvation Army, 327 Constitution St., or to any of the host locations for the trees.
“Right now, we’re doing 400 families, so there’s almost 1,500 kids,” Hope said.
Gifts should be unwrapped.
“We’re going to be giving the parents wrapping paper, so they can wrap them up,” she said.
Last week, 14 members of Trend Study Club met at the Salvation Army distribution center for its annual gift-wrapping project of early donations.
Club President Jane Reeble said the club schedules its December meeting as a work session for the agency. Members bring in refreshments, as they would for a regular meeting, and add wrapping to the program schedule. They also present the club’s annual financial contribution to the Salvation Army.
“It’s our main project for the year,” Reeble said.
Distribution of foods and merchandise will be done Dec. 18, 19, and 20 at the former Dollar General Store in Sunset Plaza Mall north of the Hill’s Appliance store. Recipients will have dates and times to pick up their holiday foods and gifts.
The Burrisses said that community support for the food drive this year has been rewarding, and the abundance of canned goods from Olpe High School’s “can the teachers” project came as a pleasant surprise.
“It’s been nice to have all the help,” Jeremiah said. “There’s always items we run short on, or items we need to purchase.”
Thomas Transfer and Storage donated all of the boxes needed for the project, Reeble’s grocery stores donated all of the bread, and Skip Evans of Evco donated all of the potatoes.
“And then we’re working on the milk right now,” Jeremiah added.
The Burrises want to raise enough money to purchase 400 gift certificates for ham or turkey from one location, to be able to use volume discount prices.
People who prefer to donate gift certificates to grocery stores may bring them to the Salvation Army Citadel. Those who want to adopt a family may call the office, 342-3093, to request the size family they want to provide for, whether that be for toys, food, or both.