Salvation Army needs more toys

TORRINGTON — The Salvation Army is set to distribute thousands of toys to parents of children in need this week for Christmas.

While most Salvation Army locations are close to their goal, Torrington is experiencing a short fall — 70 children still need toys. Please donate new unwrapped toys and bring them to The Salvation Army at 234 Oak Ave. in Torrington.

The Salvation Army has set a Red Kettle fundraising goal of $1,312,000 in Connecticut. As of Dec. 14, it had raised about $769,000.

“Kettle income supports a variety of programs and services in Southern New England including food pantries, shelters, emergency assistance, summer camp programs, school readiness, as well as holiday assistance,” officials said in a release.

Some Salvation Army locations experiencing a decline in kettle donations this year compared to last year are Danbury, Manchester, New London, Norwalk, Norwich, Stamford, Torrington and Waterbury.

Major Jorge Marzan, divisional commander for the Army in Southern New England said, “We are thankful for the generosity and support of the residents of Connecticut and Rhode Island, and to all those who support us year after year. Funds raised locally stay local, helping us to provide for our neighbors in need. When you hear the bell and you see a Red Kettle, please be as generous as you can be.”

At The Salvation Army, 82 cents of every dollar that is donated goes back to programs that serve the hungry, homeless, frail and lonely. The money raised not only helps during Christmas, but also sustains vital programs and services throughout the year. Nationally, more than 30 million Americans are served by The Salvation Army each year. Thousands of volunteers will staff red kettles on street corners nationwide, collecting nickels, dimes, quarters and occasionally, a gold coin.

In December of 1891, a Salvation Army captain in San Francisco resolved to provide a free Christmas dinner to the area’s poor by collecting donations in a large pot. By Christmas of 1895, the kettle was used in 30 Salvation Army Corps in various sections of the west coast. The red kettles are now used in 128 countries throughout the world. For information, visit http:// www.salvationarmyct.org.