‘Secret elf ’ puts Salvation Army over goal
The combination of an anonymous $25,000 donation and a surge of giving late in the season put the Conroe Salvation Army $28,000 over its $300,000 goal for holiday donations.
The funds were collected through the Salvation Army’s Red Kettle campaign where for the holiday season, the visible red kettles and a volunteer or staff bell ringer welcome shoppers at 39 locations across Montgomery County encouraging donations for the nonprofit. This year’s campaign ran from Nov. 12 through Dec. 23.
The funds collected at Christmas time will support the Conroe Salvation Army’s programs in 2024.
In the days following Christmas, Lt. James Guzman, who heads up the Conroe operation with his wife, Lt. Claudia Guzman, is feeling blessed by the generosity of Montgomery County residents.
“We had some really good success this year. Our goal was to raise $300,000 and we ended up raising $328,000,” he said. “It was awesome and gave me several validations. The first validation was that like every year Montgomery County is such a giving community. The second validation, I felt like people are seeing the work that we’re doing for the homeless population. It felt really good being able to surpass our goal this year.”
In 2022, the group experienced a $20,000 shortfall.
The Conroe organization is under the umbrella of the Salvation Army Greater Houston Area Command but all local funds and services are based in Conroe with support from local resources.
Their year-round mission is to help those in need by offering emergency shelter, lunch and dinner meals, church services, Bible studies, youth programs and assistance getting homeless individuals and families back into a stable living situation. During the holiday season, they provide toys to hundreds of children through the Angel Tree program.
The Salvation Army has had a presence in Conroe dating back to the 1970s when the group operated out of several houses the organization purchased.
On Dec. 2, the campaign received an unexpected boost when a “secret elf” slipped a check for $25,000 into kettle. That single day brought in almost $35,000 in donations.
“That was the best day I’ve had here in Conroe. I was blown away. After the volunteers finished counting I just sat back and was in awe thanking God for everything he had provided us,” Guzman said.
Giving was also available online through the Virtual Red Kettle program with the ability to designate funds to Conroe.
“Less people are carrying cash and visiting the malls and stores these days. A virtual Red Kettle provides a great way for people to show their support for the Salvation Army without having to leave the house,” said Maj. Rob Webb with the Houston organization.
In 2022, the Salvation Army in Houston raised $893,100 in kettles.
The Conroe Salvation Army Silver Doll and Bear Tea on Dec. 3 also met its $10,000 goal.
Volunteers lovingly dressed dolls and bears in different themes and then the dolls and bears were available for purchase at a special tea. Select dolls were also up for auction. The event is a three-decade long tradition for many grandmothers, aunts, moms and daughters in the Conroe area.
This season also saw a successful operation for the Angel Tree program. Claudia Guzman
begins the project in September each year by taking applications from families seeking to participate in the program.
During the early holiday season, Angel Tree tags are displayed at local businesses and individuals can fulfill the wishes of a child or senior when they take a tag home.
The Angel Tree distribution took place at the former Palais Royal location in Conroe the Wednesday before Christmas with more than 40 volunteer helpers.
James Guzman said this was a larger and more central location for the event and they were able to distribute all the gifts in one day instead of multiple days.
The Angel Tree program served 678 families and 516 seniors with nearly 2,000 children receiving presents.
As they look to 2024 and the winter months, Guzman said they are always in need of both travel-size and full-size hygiene items, men’s razors and feminine hygiene products.
Also in the new year, Guzman is looking forward to getting a newer model truck for their canteen to offer mobile food distributions in the area.
See the Conroe Salvation Army Facebook page for more.