staff writer


ALTUS- On Nov. 17, the Salvation Army will hold their annual Red Kettle Christmas Kick-off.

The kick-off will take place at Wal-Mart. The last day to see the red kettles this year will be Dec. 24. A total of 10 kettles will be placed at different participating locations.

The fund-raiser allows the Salvation Army to provide food, toys and clothing to those in need during the Christmas season. Capt. Ronald Mott, who has been with the Salvation Army for 14 years, and with the Altus chapter since June, said the funds are also used to help give utility assistance to needy families.

“This is our main fund-raiser that we have once a year,” Mott said. “We try to stretch it as much as we can. The more we get, the further it goes.”

Several volunteers, have already signed up to help, but more are needed. For more information about volunteering opportunities, contact the Salvation Army at 482-8577.“We are trying to have all volunteers out there this year,” Mott said. “We have some signed up, but we need more.

“Many church groups, civic groups, high school groups like honor society and FFA have signed up. We need groups like these to help out.”

The Salvation Army is also preparing for their Angel Trees to be displayed throughout the community. Three locations have already been established for the trees. Two will be displayed at Wal-mart (one at each entrance) and the other at Atwoods.

“We had sign-ups for the Angel Tree last week and we have just finished transferring the names onto cards,” Mott said. “The trees are usually put in locations by request or we will go out and ask if we can place one at a location.”

According to Mott, 150 families have already signed up for assistance this year. They will receive help through Angel Tree donations and from the funds generated during the red kettle season. The Salvation Army will hold another sign-up from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 27, to those in need who have not had the opportunity to register.

On Thanksgiving Day, the Salvation Army will hold their Community Thanksgiving Dinner from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Wilson Center located at 905 N. Willard.

“Anyone in the community can come,” Mott said. “If they are lonely, homeless or can't afford dinner, then they can come down and enjoy dinner with us.”

The Thanksgiving dinner is free of charge. Volunteers are needed to help cook, serve and donate turkeys.

Other events that will benefit the Salvation Army this season are the Masonic Lodge Number 62 pancake breakfast and Altus Chapter 49 of the Eastern Star bake sale. Both events will take place Nov. 18 , proceeds will go to the Salvation Army. The Independent Toy Run for the Kids on Dec. 2 will donate half of the toys to the Department of Human Services and the other half to the Salvation Army. Also, Altus Public schools is in their 19th year of holding their food drive and Mott said this event , which will help benefit families, will be coming around soon. The Salvation Army also received a check from First Baptist Church of Altus, which held a garage sale over the weekend and the proceeds were donated to help those in need this season.

“We appreciate different groups doing things for us,” Mott said. “It's remarkable. Amazing the amount of support Salvation Army gets in this community. This is going to be a busy season and we look forward to working with the people in the community.”