Lots of ways to make a difference this holiday season
There are many ways the community can give back this year and help make someone else’s holiday a little brighter.
For the Salvation Army, the tradition of the Christmas Kettle Program — ringing the bell and bringing the sound of joy of Christmas — is filling spaces we all know as of the Saturday after Thanksgiving until Christmas Eve, Dec. 24.
There is room for 50 bell ringers a day for this longstanding program, one that began in 1891.
The great part of this program is it offers some extra hours for those that are struggling.
“If anyone is struggling this year and needs to pick up extra hours, we have a bell ringer for those that have limited income,” he said, adding that it helps stabilize their food and housing as it offers income support. “It’s a very dignified way to help the community and meet their own needs. For some of our folks, it stabilizes their income for a year by ringing the bell for six weeks.”
The kettles offer a tremendous funding source for Salvation Army.
“It not only helps us provide the cost around the Angel Tree, but helps with family sheltering, food services in rural areas and foundational to other funds,” Salvation Army Major Ethan Frizzell said. “One dollar, or one dime at a time makes a tradition.”
He invites people to participate in the generational experience — make a memory and gift that continues to keep giving.
Another big program this time of year is their Angel Tree Program. Frizzell said in all Southwest Florida they will have more than 10,000 angels.
“We usually do 3,250 for Lee County,” he said. “We are very glad for that.”
Achieva Bank sponsors the Angel Tree Program in Southwest Florida. There are also many churches in the community that have one. The community can also visit the Salvation Army on McGregor Boulevard or online to pick up an angel.
“The community is tremendously generous. It’s a family-oriented region of the country that shows love of neighbors by making sure to celebrate the joy of Christmas,” Frizzell said. “The measure of our capacity is determined by the measure of the community’s compassion.”
The angel includes the child’s name, age, wish list and clothing size. The idea is that every child receives a new outfit for Christmas and two new toys.
“That is our goal for each child in the family,” he said.
Another staple of the community, Community Cooperative, provides a helping hand by putting food on individual tables this holiday season.
The Thanksgiving Full Plate Project was initiative to ensure there are no empty plates in Southwest Florida.
Community Cooperative CEO Stefanie Ink Edwards said giving back through hosting food drives, giving financial donations, or volunteering helps with the Full Plate effort targeting a goal is about 2,500 turkeys this year.
Christmas has the same concept with food, as Community Cooperative is seeking both financial donations and the community help with holding food drives, so families can have extra special holiday meals.
Individuals can also Adopt A Family.
Ink Edwards said they do not put the client and family together but rather give information such as the kids names and their stories to give some insight of what the family may need and want this holiday season.
The same program is offered for Meals on Wheels where individuals can adopt a senior.
“So many are homebound and don’t have families,” Ink Edwards said, adding that “small gifts with socks and crossword puzzles can really make someone’s day.”
Ink Edwards said they adjust what they are doing to keep up with needs.
“The Market on Demand appointments are up by 50% this week to serve more clients here,” she said as of the first week of November.
The mobile food pantries are increasing the mobile contributions with just four added this month.
“We recognize we are not the end all be all, that Community Cooperative is not going to fix the problem,” Ink Edwards said, adding there is a need for a little more “to help ensure no one is hurting in our community. We are asking the community to step up and support us as much as they possibly can — food drives, financial donations – one dollar, one can of food – one volunteer hour really makes a difference.”
To reach MEGHAN BRADBURY, please email news@breezenewspapers.com