Merry Christmas Fund kicks off with $50,000 goal
CHESTER » While the leadership and the protocols of COVID-19 restrictions are new for the 2020 Christmas season at the Salvation Army Chester Corps, the goals and figures of the Merry Christmas Fund remain the same.
The 49th annual partnership between the Chester Corps and the Delaware County Daily Times will be the first for Majors Joaquin and Kathleen Calvo. The couple arrived in August from Salvation Army Ohio State Headquarters in Cleveland to assume leadership from retiring Majors Ervin and Anna McKoy.
The Calvos have continued the fund’s longstanding goal of $50,000 to provide food baskets to an estimated 200 to 250 families in the city and Delaware County during the week of Christmas. From those families, toys will go to about 350 to 400 children. The additional seasonal funding will help the corps stretch its regular operating budget during the holiday season and throughout the year.
The Merry Christmas Fund stood out during the leadership transition discussions for the decadeslong Salvation Army off icers. “That tradition of giving is such a nice thing. You don’t see that everywhere,” said Kathleen Calvo. Prior to the couple’s four years in Ohio, the preceding 25 years included time in Springfield, Mass.; the Bronx, N.Y.; Costa Rica; and Atlantic City and Newark, N.Y. “I’ve seen (a similar fundraiser) it in Newark, but it was not as longstanding. A holiday tradition of giving is such a great concept,” she said.
Thus far in autumn, the corps has been giving out 200 to 300 bags of food each month as part of its regular distribution. As part of pandemic safety protocol, the corps is looking for volunteers to deliver food to senior citizens this season. “Instead of coming and waiting in line, we want to keep them socially distanced… it could be raining, it could be cold. It’s already flu season again, on top of COVID,” Calvo said.
The need for volunteers also extends to the Chester Corps’ part in the nationwide Kettle Drive, as the pandemic challenged environment has meant a decline among the usual participants from civics groups and businesses. “They’re trying to keep their members safe, and we want them to keep their members safe. We know that’s going to affect us this year,” Calvo said. The corps is seeking any volunteers able to work the drive during pandemic conditions.
The pandemic has changed much of the dayto-day operations of the corps, affecting both its religious and social programs. While the Calvos hope to return Sunday service to the sanctuary from the gym by Christmas, much of its youth sports and social activities remain suspended or held online. The Chester Corps’ shelter has continued to operate, currently providing about 600 nights of service and 1,200 meals each month.
Heading into 2021, the Merry Christmas Fund will help free up the budget to relaunch, pending regulations, the activities visitors to the corps’ programs missed over this year. “This year we had to postpone camps. Next year we’re hoping we’ll be able to send the children to overnight camp and get them out of the city for a while. Seniors will get to do the same thing,” said Calvo. “People are tired of being coped up; we’re hoping that we’re able to do that for them.”
“We do our best to stretch it as far as we can and meet all those needs. Sometimes it’s not just food, it’s mental health days that people need,” Calvo said. “I’m guessing that after this year, hopefully not too much into 2021, people are going to need mental respites.”
“Every income counts. We can spread it to all the programs to balance budgets,” said Joaquin Calvo, noting various utilities, supplies and transportation expenses not always accounted for in grants to corps programming.
HOW TO GIVE
Those who wish to contribute to the $50,000 goal can send monetary 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 off at the Salvation Army Headquarter at 151 W. 15th St., Chester.
For information on food or toy donation drop offs or Kettle Worker openings, call the Chester Corps at 610-874-4266.