Over 3,000 children receive presents

Springfield Salvation Army gives to almost 1,200 families in need.

SPRINGFIELD — The Springfield Salvation Army with the help of many volunteers distributed Christmas presents to almost 1,200 families in need, an official with the Springfield Salvation Army said.

“It’s an incredible feat that the community pulled off under the conditions and circumstances,” Ryan Ray, the development director of the Springfield Salvation Army said. “We had some worry and certainly anxious moments, but to see that it all came together and every family that applied their kids are going to have a great Christmas because of this amazing community.”

Clark County families signed up at the end of October virtually to be adopted this Christmas through the Springfield Salvation Army’s angel tree program. Their kids’ names, genders, ages, sizes and toy wishes were printed on angels and distributed to various locations.

There were 600 unclaimed angels the first week of December. With the help of the Ohio Masonic Home and many community donors, the Springfield Salvation Army was able to provide presents to over 3,000 chil

dren, Ray said.

“The kids have been through so much this year. There has been a lot taken away from the kids, a lot asked of the kids, so to be able to do this and ensure that they have one day where they wake up and they’re excited and they get to experience some happiness in the midst of the gloom of this year is exciting,” Ray said.

He told the News-Sun this was a total community effort.

“A lot of people went in a time where people don’t have much to give. They found a way to give anyway,” Ray said. “That’s the incredible piece.”

“We did it together,” Ray said.

The Springfield Salvation Army’s efforts are continuing through their Red Kettle Campaign.

Ray said they are over $20,000 behind compared to last year.

In an effort to make up for some lost ground, the Springfield Salvation Army is introducing “Twenty on 21.”

Residents are encouraged to go to any red kettle location between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. on Monday, take a selfie giving $20 and post the selfie on Facebook or Instagram with #twentyon21 and challenge others to do the same.

Red kettles are located at the Springfield Walmart, Kroger and Rural King locations.

For more information or to give to the Springfield Salvation Army, call 937-322-3434 or visit www. swo.salvationarmy.org/springfield-oh.

Contact this reporter at 937409-9623 or email Natalie. Jones@coxinc.com.

BILL LACKEY/STAFF Salvation Army volunteer Tracy Yates picks out a toy for a child in need during the Salvation Army toy distribution Thursday at the Clark County Fairgrounds.

BILL LACKEY/STAFF Springfield Salvation Army volunteers collected bags of toys and bicycles from the sea of plastic bags and rows of bikes during the Army’s Christmas toy distribution for needy families Thursday at the Clark County Fairgrounds.