Salvation Army kicks off the 2018 Merry Christmas Fund
CHESTER >> While Great Britain was in the middle of its “imperial century,” Methodist minister William Booth found the expansion of wealth from the British Empire did little to elevate the poverty in the East End of its capital, London.
One hundred fifty-three years later in the East Side of Chester, the Salvation Army Chester Corps is grappling with the same challenges as the organization’s founder.
“The economy is doing quite well… as far as people in need, that hasn’t changed,” said Maj. Ervin McKoy of the Chester Corps. An upswing in the economy has historically met an upswing in the Salvation Army’s holiday Kettle Drive, according to McKoy, and he hopes that trend extends to the 2018 Merry Christmas Fund.
A $50,000 goal has been set for the 47th year of the charitable partnership between the Times and the Chester Corps to distribute food baskets and toys to those in need in the city and Delaware County during the week of Christmas.
Befitting the Victorian origins of the Salvation Army, the Times presented readers a Dickensian turn of phrase on the front page of the Nov. 25, 1971, edition when it asked readers “Won’t you help less fortunate?” McKoy hopes readers will accept the call to help the array of challenges the Chester Corps faces on a daily basis.
“We still have over 200 families that we’re going to be feeding and giving Christmas gifts to,” McKoy said. “I’d like to do something special this year for our homeless population that comes to our center.”
Merry Christmas Fund donations help the Chester Corps stretch its regular operating budget during the holiday season and beyond. With a loss of funding for a major food sponsor, the corps’ food pantry is operating a bare minimum going into the holiday season.
Along with donations to the fund and food donations, the corps is also accepting toy donations at its 151 W. 15th St. headquarters. “A lot of times we don’t have enough stuff for older children,” McKoy said. “We can use extra money to get bikes or they can donate a new bike.”
While the corps has faced challenges with the food pantry, McKoy still sees regular acts of Christian charity that exemplify the mission of the Salvation Army. An unexpected example came from a local child recently honored by the corps’ women’s group. “There was a young lady, she’s 7 years old… she has the heart of a salvationist.”
The girl (whose name was withheld for privacy), has been purchasing food for the homeless around the city. “Her mother drives her around to feed homeless people. Our lady’s group heard about it – their hearts were so touched by what she was doing.”
Those who wish to contribute to the $50,000 goal can send donations via check or money order made payable and mailed to Chester Salvation Army, P.O. Box 1032, Brookhaven, PA 19015. Please do not mail donations to the Daily Times. Contributors who wish to be recognized should include a very brief, legible holiday message with their donations.
Donations of toys, food and clothing can be dropped them off at the Salvation Army Headquarter at 151 W. 15th St., Chester. For information on donation drop offs or Kettle Worker openings, call the Chester Corps at 610-8744266.