Oregon City teen accused of stealing Salvation Army kettles

With 12 days left until Christmas, the Salvation Army in Marietta says it is at about 40 percent of its goal for the year.

The Salvation Army center uses the money raised to provide food, clothing and basic household needs for individuals and families.

“We need to get ringers out there”, Floriano said.

Charities including Mission Australia and The Salvation Army are there during people’s time of need, and ask for donations and volunteers to help them do their important work – especially at Christmas. They still are kind enough to throw a smile this way, I’m getting a whole lot of “Merry Christmases” back, so that’s nice. “Every penny placed in a red kettle will be used to change someone’s life”.

However, with less than 12 days remaining in the campaign, she said the organization “still has a ways to go” if it wants to raise as much money as it did previous year.

Here at the Salvation Army we have many elves too. “Volunteer groups have been covering some of the locations, but we are leaving many locations, 134 to date, unmanned this year compared to last year”. Major Richard Watts says they’ve seen even more people turning to the organization for support because of Matthew.

Accompanying the coin was a handwritten note: “Schultz, Santa and Salvation Army Red Kettles – Some traditions were meant to continue!”