Man arrested in theft of Salvation Army donation kettle

The Joy Fund, which began in 1913, gives to 15 to 20 holiday programs each year.

While in the news the economy continues to improve, The Salvation Army still sees significant numbers of people in need.

“We have a lot more food coming in this year, so we are going to be able to bless a lot of people with food this year”, said Lt. Troy Cook with the Salvation Army.

“I wish that all of Londoners could experience the relief on parents’ faces when they receive their Christmas Hamper”, said spokesperson Perron Goodyear last week. And two of Detroit’s most beloved churches – Mariner’s Church of Detroit and Our Lady of the Rosary Parish – will simultaneously ring their bells for one minute at 9:50 a.m.in support of Red Kettle Day.

“Please auction this off in memory of my Aunt Doris, whom your program helped many many many years ago”, read the note.

The Salvation Army has raised just $375,000 this Christmas season.

“We are grateful for the overwhelming generosity of this anonymous donor and their commitment to help us do to the most good in Genesee County”, said Salvation Army Captain Caleb B. Senn in a statement.

The bags are for recipients of the Salvation Army’s annual Angel Tree.

“I was doing drugs before I went to jail”, Konig said.

Now volunteers are busy wrapping the toys ready for them to be distributed to families across the town who are struggling to make ends meet.

The local Salvation Army is putting a call out for last-minute donations, as the organization is over $300,000 short of their fundraising goal for the Christmas season. “All of the angels are never taken off, so we buy extra toys and clothes with money from the bell ringing, making sure that every child on our angel tree has an outfit and a couple toys”, explained Watson.

Last Christmas, the organization provided food hampers for more than 1,600 people and toy hampers to 900 children.