Rockingham Co. Salvation Army aid to fall short

Some parents don't have the money to buy gifts for their children this Christmas. That's where The Salvation Army steps in.

But The Salvation Army of Rockingham County has 900 angels that haven't been adopted, and that could mean some children won't receive a Christmas gift.

"We've got 1,500 children that we're trying to help right now," said Capt. John Sikes, commanding officer. Each angel has the name, age, sizes and wish list for a local child. People buy unwrapped gifts and bring them by the Salvation Army office or call for the presents to be picked up.

In the past, The Salvation Army has placed angel trees at multiple stores in the county. After a wait, the organization Monday got permission from the Mayodan and Eden Wal-Mart stores to place angel trees, said Sikes. The Salvation Army also has permission from the Madison Kmart. Sikes doesn't mind if other organizations have special Christmas projects and can't put up Salvation Army angel trees; he just wants them to let him know.

"They need to communicate with us so we're not duplicating services," said Sikes.

The Salvation Army's red kettles are in place and the ringers are stationed at various stores around the county, including all three Wal-Marts, the Kmarts of Reidsville and Madison, Food Lion stores and Lowes Foods and Walgreen's in Reidsville.

Ron Harris, a volunteer from First Baptist Church of Reidsville, rang the bell at the Wal-Mart in Reidsville on Monday afternoon. He smiled at the passing shoppers and bid "Merry Christmas" to those who dropped money into the kettle.

"I think The Salvation Army is one place you can count on," Harris said. "You can feel good that they're going to give it to the people that need it. They put the money where the people are."

The recession has left more people in need this year, but in turn, more people are recognizing the needs and lending a helping hand, according to Sikes.

"We actually see people in tough times step up to the plate. If they've got it, they're giving a little bit more," Sikes said.

But for the first year in a while, The Salvation Army can't fulfill the needs of every family that needs the help this Christmas because of a lack of funding.

Sikes said The Salvation Army board is analyzing each case this Christmas. If the family or individual has received assistance for the past few years, they might not get it this year because of the high number of first-timers seeking help. And if a family's income level is near the poverty line, that family may not receive assistance.

"We're booked through Jan. 5 for general assistance," Sikes said. "We've actually had to cut appointments off. That's the first time we've had to do that since I've been here in 2005. Since I've been here, we've helped everybody that's come through the door."

• Staff writer Miranda Baines can be reached at mbaines@reidsvillereview.com or 349-4331, ext. 35.