Across Dallas-Fort Worth, the Salvation Army serves thousands of people each year, the Salvation Army’s DFW Metroplex Commander Major Jonathan Rich said.
“Really our goal is to see lives transformed and to [either] break the cycle of poverty or the cycle of addiction that so may people struggle with, or the cycle of domestic violence,” he said.
Overall, the Salvation Army DFW Metroplex Command serves five counties in the area, including Dallas, Tarrant, Ellis, Collin and Denton counties. The region is served by 12 community centers which provide day camps and after school programs for at-risk youth.
The organization also has two social service centers, which provide meals and shelter to families, seniors and veterans along with two rehabilitation centers for those addicted to drugs or alcohol, two houses to keep families and individuals off the streets and two Christmas and disaster centers.
Volunteering and donating
Three fundraising and donation efforts the organization undertakes during the holiday season are the Red Kettle Campaign, Angel Tree and 12 Days of Giving.
“People who volunteer and ring the bell [for the Red Kettle Campaign] at Christmastime love doing that, and I would love to encourage more people to sign up with us. That’s the money that supports the work that we’re doing all around the Metroplex,” Rich said.
The Red Kettle Campaign runs from the day after Thanksgiving to Christmas Eve and has 600 collection spots in the area. Rich said the organization’s goal this year is to raise $2.5 million through the campaign.
Another volunteer and donation opportunity is the Angel Tree effort.
From Nov. 4-Dec. 8, Salvation Army employees and volunteers set up Christmas trees at 12 malls across the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Those participating in the program pick a tag from the tree and fulfill the child’s wishes.
“We help over 50,000 children [in the five counties] through the Angel Tree program every Christmastime,” Rich said.
When the Angel Tree program ends, the Salvation Army starts its 12 Days of Giving. The organization again places tags on Christmas trees in the malls, telling stories about the services the Salvation Army provides.
600 Wilson Creek Parkway, McKinney 972-542-6694 www.salvationarmydfw.org
