Published: November 23, 2009 09:48 am      

Salvation Army kicks off kettle campaign; goal set at $40,000

With hundreds of area families in need this Christmas, a situation made worse by high unemployment, the local Salvation Army launched its Christmas Kettle Drive on Saturday with a $40,000 goal for 2009 here.

The very first kettle in Chickasha opened for business on Saturday morning at Dunn’s Grocery, 208 S. 5th Street. The local Salvation Army (TSA) Corp serves both Grady and Caddo Counties.

“The need is great,” said Lt. James Biddix, who with his wife Lt. Teresa Biddix, leads the local corp. “The number of children on the Angel Tree in Caddo County has doubled. Recently, a family drove more than an hour for a food basket and an average of 25 people are turned away for services each month and the numbers continue to grow. The food pantry is near bare which means it will be difficult to fill the needs for those who come to The Salvation Army for food when their family is hungry.”

Additional bell ringers and new locations are needed, Biddix said. “We welcome the help of local volunteers. It makes a significant difference.”

So far, locations in Chickasha include Walmart, the U.S. Postal Office, Dunn’s Grocery Store, Homeland, and Walgreens. Locations in Anadarko include Walmart and Williams Grocery Store.

“Everyone is feeling the pressure of this depressed economy, “Biddix said, “none more than the homeless and needy. We truly expect that when change goes into the kettles, change will come out in the form of assistance.”

In addition to the Red Kettles, a key provider of Christmas joy to area children is TSA’s Angel Tree Program, which has been part of TSA’s mission since the 1990’s. Already 400 children are on the list needing local Angel Tree sponsors. Angel Tree kickoff begins Nov. 30.

The Red Kettle tradition began in 1891in San Francisco. This year, the National Kick-off will be held during the Dallas Cowboys’ game against the Oakland Raiders on Thanksgiving Day.

Locally, TSA provides holiday assistance programs in order to meet the needs of families in

Grady and Caddo counties. “People may wonder, as the familiar red kettles pop up at local stores, “what does The Salvation Army do with the donations?” Biddix asked.

The answer is all-local: all donations made to a red kettle in Caddo and Grady counties stay in these counties to help TSA’s ability to provide assistance to local neighbors in need.

Civic Groups, Sunday Schools, School Groups and more are needed to assist with Bell Ringing and other holiday needs. Additional information on programs and services in Caddo and Grady Counties provided by The Salvation Army is available from the Biddixes at 405-224-5647.