Local Family Responds to Desperate Need of the Oswego Salvation Army

December 17, 2009 — If there happens to be a young Oswego couple standing outside J.C. Penney’s with their 190-pound Newfoundland, 2-year-old daughter and one-month-old infant, don’t be alarmed. It’s the Huff family, and they’re raising money for the Oswego Salvation Army by ringing the kettle bell. The family embarked on their journey of service this year for the first time when their relatives in Washington State requested charitable gifts instead of material gifts.

“They wanted us to donate to a charity in their honor,” said mom, Nellica Huff, who twice pulled two-hour bell shifts with her family. “I feel like my in-laws really set a precedent of service with their family. It’s something that had not been a part of our family to this point, but it will be from now on. It was totally convenient and super easy to work it into our schedule. I didn’t realize how easy it was to get involved.”

The community of Oswego is full of inspirational stories like that of the Huff Family, with big hearts and giving spirits. Unfortunately, many in the town have also fallen on hard times and the same is true for the Salvation Army. The organization will be providing Christmas presents and dinner for 300 families this year, double its normal number. Because donations are down all around, it’s anybody’s guess where the supplies will come from.

“We’re getting more calls every single day. We’re nervous,” said Oswego Salvation Army Capt. Corinne Hayes. “There’s an urgency for assistance because we don’t want to turn anyone away. We want to ensure we have what we need to provide Christmas for everyone.“

Why is the Oswego Salvation Army seeing donations this holiday season at lower levels than ever before? There are several factors, according to Capt. Kenneth Hayes.

“P&C Foods, a prime supporter in years past with the $5 food bag, has closed. And, several of the organizations that did food drives for us in past years have not done it this year,” Hayes said. “We have not had as many individuals bring us food this year other than turkeys and a few food donations. Our kettle donations are down, food donations are down, toy donations are down.”

“We’re about $22,500 away from our goal of $45,000 with seven days to do go,” he added. “The average right now is about  $1,000 a day, from all kettles, and we will need $2,800 a day over the next seven days to achieve our goal.”

So what could be the resulting out-of-pocket cost for the Oswego Salvation Army?
    
“Between having to buy the food, some toys, and the shortfall in our kettle, I’m sure it’ll amount to $15,000 easy,” Hayes said. “If the situation stays this way, it is seriously going to affect the way we will be able to help people this year.”

The Salvation Army will hand out hams purchased at a discount from Paul’s Big M, and give larger families whole turkeys donated by the community. The most urgently needed donations are money, children’s toys and any non-perishable side items to supplement a ham dinner. December 21st is the deadline for all donations, including the Salvation Army Angel Tree gift tags.

In the midst of the holiday rush, the Salvation Army is also raising funds to finish renovating its new, larger West 2nd Street facility. The renovations will create kitchen, dining and food storage space adequate to serve the ever-growing population seeking assistance on a daily basis.

“We totally understand how hard it is for everybody,” said Capt. Corinne Hayes. “We’re just asking people to reach a little deeper into their pockets because unfortunately, due to the economic times, there are more children and families in need.”

And that’s a message the Huff family is hearing loud and clear this year.

“We will definitely do this again,” Nellica said, adding that the service activity was a great conversation starter with her 2-year-old daughter, Ramonda. “We talked about people whose daddies don’t have a job and kids who need presents and food. She really understood it even at her age. This is the season of giving, but with kids it’s so often about presents and getting. To take time out of your life to make other people a priority and really discuss why, it’s really important. We want to set the example.”

The Oswego Salvation Army is part of the International Salvation Army organization, which is an evangelical part of the universal Christian Church. The local citadel provides food, education, services and spiritual support to the local community.
To inquire about how you can help this holiday season, please contact the Oswego Salvation Army at (315) 343-6491.