Mom Squad to ring for homeless kids

It’s in a mom’s nature to step in when there’s a need – especially if it involves kids. Once again this year, Indy Moms Like Me is joining us during the Christmas season to help raise some funds for our programs at the kettles – theirs is pink, by the way. And also, at our WIBC Radiothon during the Saturday Kids Day on December 12. The Moms are supporting our Homelessness Bites campaign to end homelessness for the 1,500 kids who spend their nights on the streets with their moms due to domestic violence or financial difficulties.

Indy Moms Like Me is a social networking group here in Indy where moms can come together and discuss all things “mom” – from parenting to support groups to volunteer opportunities and recipes.

Are you an Indy Mom? (If not, you can join here) If you are, join The Salvation Army group and encourage others to join us on Monument Circle on Saturday, December 12 to ring bells at the kettles and bring a toy down to donate for Angel Tree.

Help out with Coats for Kids

Can you believe this year marks the 23rd year for Bob Gregory’s Coats for Kids? It’s true! Monday, September 7 marked the official beginning to the coat collection drive! We’re anticipating a much greater need for coats this year than ever before – in all sizes from infant to teen – so please be sure to bring (and encourage your neighbors, friends, family and churches to bring) new or gently used winter coats to any of the following locations:

• Tuchman Cleaners (25 area locations)
• Apple Fest – Thursday, October 1st on Monument Circle
• Lucas Oil Stadium – Sunday, October 4th

I know it’s still warm outside now, but it won’t be for long. We need to get winter coats to children who otherwise wouldn’t be able to afford one, before the chilly air hits. Before the first snow of the season. Before the 2 hour windchill delays.

If you would like to volunteer for this incredible event we can use all the help we can get (especially with set-up), call Elizabeth at 224-1010. Without organization, Distribution Day can’t happen.

Remember 9/11, become a volunteer!

On Friday, September 11th, you’ll be able to find The Salvation Army right downtown! Join us from 11am-2pm around Monument Circle for the Community Fair in remembrance of 9/11.

A Legacy Walk, beginning with a commemorative program (keynote speaker – Mayor Ballard), will take place at 10am, with the walk starting at 11am – and will lead right to Monument Circle.

If you’d like to hear the program, it will be held at the War Memorial on the North steps, off of Michigan Rd.

See you there!

~Elizabeth

Fall…Already?

“When the apple is ripe, it will fall.” ~Proverb

Temperature-wise, yesterday was starting to feel like Fall! Before you start to feel sad about Summer slowly wrapping up and Fall creeping in, just remember this – all that means is that The Salvation Army will be out in the community in full force delivering coats and toys to children, gifts to shut-ins, and raising the money necessary to support these important programs.

First up? Apple Fest! Apple Fest will take place on October 1st down on Monument Circle. As part of our Homelessness Bites campaign, you can find more information about it here:

www.homelessnessbites.org

Hope to see you there!

~Elizabeth

*you can follow our volunteer blog at savolunteer.org

100% generous…0% frostbite

It seems as the economy gets bumpier, Hoosiers start reflecting on their blessings. Steady job? Check. Warm home? Check. Healthy family? Check. And we all know there are plenty of our neighbors who can’t make that list.

Applications for Christmas assistance are over double than last year. But, each of us can do a little to lighten the burden for struggling families. We’re offering you the chance to host your very own Salvation Army Red Kettle without even having to stand outside.  

This is the ONLY way for you to volunteer for The Salvation Army from the comfort of your living room.  The idea is simple:  Create and customize your own Online Red Kettle, then email your friends and ask them to donate to your kettle.  (And you won’t be caught digging for change at the mall.)

How do you get started?  Simply go to OnlineRedKettle.org, click “Start A New Kettle,” and follow the instructions.  If you have any questions, we can help.  Email us at ORK@SalvationArmyIndiana.org and we will help you set up your Online Red Kettle.

Your group, company, or organization can also form a team kettle.  Just click “Start A New Kettle” and then “Start A Team.”  You can set a team goal and members of the team can set their own individual goals.  Find out more about the team kettle here.

This year’s Tree of Lights goal is $2.75 million.  Sounds like a lofty goal, but if just 1,000 people set up an Online Red Kettle with a goal of $275 and they reach their goal, we can raise $275,000 online.  That’s 10% of our Tree of Lights goal.  So if you love The Salvation Army but you hate the cold, host an Online Red Kettle. 

And, of course, if you love The Salvation Army and you love standing out in the cold, contact our volunteer coordinator, Elizabeth, and set up a time to ring a real bell.

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