LANCE GAITHER

lance.gaither@bluegrassnewsmedia.com

Despite the current economy, the Danville branch of the Salvation Army has seen an increase in volunteers for the Angel Tree program that provides Christmas gifts to children and seniors. However, the organization that has become synonymous with holiday giving also is experiencing a decrease in donations to the Red Kettles program that helps fund various community services.

“The community has rallied behind us,” said Salvation Army Lt. Noldine Walton. “Last year, we had only 300 hundred angels. This year, we have 500 for about 400 families. We are seeing a lack in the kettles. The economy has changed a lot, so people are finding ways how they can help us and help themselves. We know they have to think about how to provide for themselves and help the community.”

The Salvation Army has seen an increase in people seeking support from the Angel Tree program since last year.

“The trend of more people asking has gone up since Covid,” Walton said. “Especially as we since we have seen the prices of everything increasing, we knew that the need was going to be there a lot more.”

Mimi Becker is a member of the Danville Rotary Club and is a volunteer bell ringer. She believes there will be an increase in donations toward the end of the season.

“I think it’s a little early to have a sense of what the donations will be,” Becker said. “Often their is a final push towards the end of the days. There are usually people or companies who match donations on a given day.”

Regardless, Walton is thankful for the support of the community.

“Every day I wake up I tell my husband that we have been blessed by having such a great community,” Walton said. “Were thankful for those that are giving, those who have given, and those who are going to continue giving to use. Without you we couldn’t continue to do good in God’s name without discrimination.”