Ricker’s, am/pm match kettle donations

It takes a special kind of CEO to be willing to sacrifice a little pride while challenging his employees to do something good for their neighbors. Jay Ricker is that kind of CEO.

The Salvation Army has been fortunate to partner with Jay Ricker (CEO Ricker Oil, am/pm convenience stores) and his am/pm stores at BP stations across Central Indiana. Leading up to red kettle season, Ricker inspires his employees to talk up donations for the kettles in hopes to become the location to collect the most cash and coins for their neighbors in need. What’s the incentive? How about having your CEO visit your location to pass out free hotdogs to your customers….dressed as a clown!

We joined the celebration at the 52nd and Keystone BP store this afternoon to witness Ricker making good on his promise. Ricker’s team then presented Major Keith Welch and our Development Director, Jeff Stanger with a check for over $13,000 Read more

Bikers donate over 700 toys

This weekend, over 350 motorcyclists delivered toys to The Salvation Army as part of the 15th annual Circle City Toy Run. About 200 cycles shook the street as the giant convoy, which required a police escort, traveled from Zaines Too Bar & Grill to The Salvation Army’s Headquarters at 3100 North Meridian Street.

The bike enthusiasts brought with them over 700 toys which will be distributed to children in need during The Salvation Army’s Angel Tree distribution at the Indiana State Fairgrounds in a few weeks. Last year, over 13,000 toys were collected and distributed to families in need through Salvation Army toy programs.

The organizer of the Circle City Toy Run, Ron “Bumber” Herron says that he runs the annual event in honor of his Mother, Dorothy Herron, who was big supporter of The Salvation Army. Captain Marcos Ramirez expressed his gratitude for the generous gift as he spoke to the participants. “Your generosity is going to make a difference in hundreds of children’s lives. You’ve warmed my heart today,” said Captain Ramirez.

You can find out more about The Salvation Army’s Angel Tree and WISHtree programs by visiting IndyWISHTree.org.

Celebs ring on Monument Circle

 If you’re in downtown Indy this afternoon, you’ll notice it sounds a lot more like Christmas. Today is Celebrity Bell Ringing Day in front of Emmis studios on Monument Circle. Some of our more recognizable friends are giving an hour or more of their time today to ring bells and collect some of the first donations of the season.

So far today, we’ve had the priviledge of ringing with some of the lovely Colts cheerleaders, WISH TV-8 personalities, our WIBC Radiothon Chair (and Pacers’ own) Quinn Buckner, Darth Vadar, Boomer, Trucky and Big-E-Foot. We’ve also had some fun previewing tomorrow’s Turkey Bowling event with GFS Marketplace.

Speaking of turkey bowling, if you’re out and about on the west side tomorrow, stop by the GFS Marketplace on Rockville Road for their Thanksgiving sampling day and Turkey Bowling. We’ll be there and we hope you’ll join us in packing the pantries at our community centers.

Bells will be ringing…

Since there are really only two seasons for the Salvation Army, Christmas and NOT Christmas, it seems time to give you a preview of what’s to come for our 2009 Tree of Lights campaign. This is going to be a tough season.

We’re already experiencing a nearly 20% increase in requests for assistance for housing and food and the holiday season hasn’t begun.

 

We spoke with WTHR 13′s Angela Cain on Red Shield Radio this week. We have the priviledge of working with both Angela and with Bob Gregory on the Coats for Kids donation drive each Fall. And we agreed, with more parents struggling to keep and find jobs, the lines will be long at coat distribution day. If you’d like to make sure at least one child has a warm coat this winter, go here to learn more about Coats for Kids. We’re accepting donations now through October 5.

Right after Coats for Kids, we’ll kick off our Christmas season at our Tree of Lights Kick-off right here on the lawn of our headquarters on November 19. Our goal is $3 million this year and we’ll need everyone to dig deep and find it in their hearts and wallets to help those who are struggling to provide shelter and necessities for their families. The next day, we’ll begin the bellringing season at Celebrity Bell Ringing on Monument Circle. This is a perfect time to meet a favorite local celebrity and spare a few coins.

Then Radiothon is just around the corner on December 11-13. Join our 2008/2009 Radiothon Chair, Quinn Buckner of the Indiana Pacers as we support our programs for men, women and children right here in our city! We have opportunities for  hourly sponsors and volunteers to work in the phone bank. It’s a 55-hour Marathon of Giving, and our biggest fundraising event of the year.

And immediately following Radiothon is our Toy Shop at the Indiana State Fairgrounds. This is the week that all the toys from our seasonal toy drive will be distributed to families in need. To learn more about participating as a collection site, a set-up volunteer or as an event day volunteer, go here.

We can’t meet this kind of need without our volunteers. If you’re interested in ringing a bell, hosting a coat or toy collection drive, or participating in Radiothon, there are lots of ways to give of your dollars and your time. Please give Elizabeth a call at 224-1010.

We did it, Indiana!

You’re among the first to know – we’ve exceeded our goal for the Tree of Lights campaign! (and we couldn’t have done it without you!)

In the face of a recession, lay-offs and home foreclosures, Hoosiers dug deep to help those less fortunate than themselves. You sponsored hours and called in your pledges during our WIBC Radiothon and helped raise over $223,000 in three days! You sent your support in response to direct mail and donated online. And no Tree of Lights campaign would be complete without our famous red kettles. Of the more than $2.77 million that’s been raised during this year’s campaign, over $789,000 was collected at the 140 Red Kettle locations throughout central Indiana.  So, thanks to all of you who allowed our bellringers to ring outside your stores and offices. Your participation is so vital to the success of the campaign!

So whether you gave $1 or $1,000, you were part of our own Christmas miracle. Through your support, we will continue to offer shelter and support to the homeless and abuse, a safe place for children through our after-school programs, compassion to our community’s seniors and hope and rehabilitation to the addicted. On behalf of the men, women and children we serve every day of the year, THANK YOU!

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