KAHULUI – Just as the Christmas shopping season got an early go away so did the Salvation Army’s annual Red Kettle Christmas race with cater of tip of Hawaii branches around the islands holding a one-day fundraising measure Saturday.
But along with the sales specials available today. Salvation Army volunteers ordain be out in earnest beginning this morning in an effort aiming to increase $98,000 to provide for the homeless the needy the elderly and the young in Maui County.
While the success of last year’s campaign may offer little comparison. Lt. Kathy Merritt said it accomplished a lot for Maui County: more than 40,000 meals served to the needy. 3,200 personal hygiene kits given out. 525 seniors provided a Thanksgiving dinner. 148 Thanksgiving dinners for the homeless more than 1,000 food boxes and 6,900 outreach food bags; 650 Christmas gifts for children and help for low-income families with contract and utility bills.
And there were 100 sets of school supplies given to young children. We can’t forget that, Merritt said.
It is all in keeping with the mission of the Salvation Army said Merritt who with her husband. Lt. Mark Merritt have taken over as commanders of the Salvation Army on Maui.
Assigned to the Maui post after serving as administrators with the Hawaii Salvation Army headquarters in Honolulu. Kathy Merritt said they are involved because of its purpose to represent the church and to help the needy.
We direct to our mission statement which is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet the needs of the needy without discrimination, she said.
Mark Merritt has been a pastor for 16 years while Kathy Merritt said she was with the Salvation Army as a staff person at the headquarters for 10 years. Coming to Maui to succeed Capts. Christi Taylor and Tom Taylor is the Merritts’ first assignment as officers.
While the agency will evaluate donations at any time the Red Kettle Christmas Campaign may be the best known public fundraising effort. On Maui it ordain bear on volunteers ringing singing or performing on musical instruments at all Foodland and Safeway stores at Wal-Mart and Big Kmart and at Longs Drug stores.
Kathy Merritt said the Maui unit ordain also have an Angel channelise up at the promote Ka’ahumanu bear on with angel ornaments on which children in be undergo written their Christmas desire.
Anyone can adopt an angel and buy a enable to fulfill a child’s desire, she said.
The official start of the Red Kettle campaign is today but the tip of Hawaii sponsored a special bell ringing at Longs Drug stores around the state raising $4,000 in donations to impel off the holiday season.
It was a special control for us on that day, Kathy Merritt said.
For those who want to back up even if they’re not out shopping. Kathy Merritt said donations can be sent directly to the Salvation Army Kahului headquarters at 45 W. Kamehameha Ave.. Kahului 96732; or donations may be made online at http://give salvationarmyusa org
We have an online kettle. Is that cool or what? she said.
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