The Salvation Army of the Syracuse Area during the Holidays

The Holidays at The Salvation Army
During the 2007 holiday season, 1,052 individuals helped to raise more than $175,000 by ringing bells at one of our Red Kettles to support our year-round human services here in Onondaga County. More than 5,000 gifts were donated for children and adults in our programs, 67 schools took part in our food drive. More than 284 volunteers gave over 812 hours to help register families for the Christmas Bureau Food and Gift Distribution.

On December 21st, with the help of 678 volunteers, we were able to provide food baskets, toys and books to close 2,300 low-income families. Parents of the 5,777 children in those families were able to see smiling faces on Christmas morning and serve a wonderful Christmas dinner.

During the months of November and December, more than 2,509 people donated 7,614 hours of their time to help make a difference in the lives of families in need in Onondaga County.

Coats for Kids – Ocotber - November . In partnership with the P&C Food and Pharmacy Stores in Onondaga County and CBS 5 WTVH, the annual Coats for Kids Drive will run from Sunday, October 7 through Saturday, November 3. Families can donate gently used coats and outerwear for children and young adults by placing them in The Salvation Army barrels at your local P&C Store. The coats will be distributed to help keep needy children in our community warm this winter season.

Dome Donation Day – October Dome Donation Day is a tradition that Coach Richard MacPherson helped create 23 years ago at SU’s homecoming game on November 19, 1983 against West Virginia. Every year since that time, one game has been designated to be Dome Donation Day. The Salvation Army has collected food and monetary donations from fans as they entered the Carrier Dome every year on that day. Volunteer

Project Caring Food Drive&mdash In cooperation with area P&C Food and Pharmacy Stores, the Project Caring Food Drive will be held from x to y. During this time, visit your local P&C Store and purchase a bag of food for $5. This bag contains basic staples such as peanut butter and pasta. With the thousands of bags of food that are donated, we fill holiday food baskets that are given away at the Christmas Bureau Distribution Day.

Christmas Tree Lighting Bell Sale – November 28. For the past 15 years, Salvation Army Advisory Board Members, staff and volunteers ring in the holiday season at the City of Syracuse’s Christmas Tree Lighting Bell Sale at Clinton Square. Last year, with the help of over 40 volunteers, we sold over a thousand bells and raised $1,200 on one of the coldest nights of the year. Volunteer

Red Kettle Campaign – November 28 – December 24. The Salvation Army of the Syracuse Area will be collecting money in those famous Red Kettles around Onondaga County in the months of November and December. Kettles will be located at the following retail outlets:

Carousel Mall
Great Northern Mall
ShoppingTown Mall
P&C Food and Pharmacy Supermarkets
Wal-Mart Stores
Sam’s Club
K-Mart
Price Chopper Stores

For the second year, Joe McCarthy, retired JCPenney executive and member of our Advisory Board, is chairing the Red Kettle Committee. Also for the second year, Bob Ellis, Rich Walker, Gus Harrison, Kim Zarnowski and Marvin Reed will reprise their roles ar Kettle Leaders and Captains. In 2007, this group was responsible for recruiting hundreds of new bell ringing volunteers to assist in our Red Kettle Campaign.
Volunteer

Click here for more information about the history of the Red Kettle.

Food Drive & Mini Angel Tree - November 1 – December 5. Every year, hundreds of area schools, businesses and churches collect food and gifts for our holiday efforts. Non-perishable food items are used to make over 2,500 holiday food baskets for low-income families, seniors and disabled adults. Donated gifts are given to needy children and adults. For more information on how your group can participate in a food or gift drive, call the Development Office at 479-1321.

Drop Off Day – Friday, December 5. On Drop Off Day, members of the 174th Fighter Wing donate their time to collect food and gifts from schools, businesses and the public. Teams of 174th volunteers visit the schools that are participating in our School Food Drive. They pick up hundreds of barrels of non-perishable food items that our community’s children have donated. Another team of 174th volunteers braves the weather and stands in the ShoppingTown Mall parking lot to collect food and gifts from area businesses, churches and families. Y94 FM will broadcast live from the ShoppingTown Mall parking lot in support of our efforts. Red Lobster and Scotch ‘n Sirloin generously donate lunch for our volunteers in uniform. Volunteer

Christmas Bureau Distribution Registration During this 15 day period, Salvation Army staff and volunteers register more than 2,500 families at several community sites. These families will then have the opportunity to receive toys, food and books for Christmas. Volunteers are needed to help with greeting and computer input of recipient registration information. Volunteer

Christmas Bureau Distribution Day Preparations On the days leading up to Christmas Bureau Distribution Day, there are countless preparations that need to be made. At the Oncenter, food and gifts need to be sorted; stocking stuffers need to be packed and any other final details need to be taken care of. Hundreds of volunteers are needed at the Oncenter to ensure that Christmas Bureau Distribution Day runs smoothly. Volunteer

Christmas Bureau Distribution Day
On this special day, we assist more than 10,000 people so that Christmas will be a little brighter. Low-income families come to the Oncenter to receive toys, books and a holiday food basket. Last year on Christmas, over 5,800 children had a gift under their tree and a traditional holiday dinner to celebrate. Hundreds of volunteers are needed for three hour shifts to help this day become a reality for 2,500 need families. Volunteer