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TAG ARCHIVES: SALVATION ARMY
The Salvation Army of the Syracuse Area’s Red Kettle Campaign A light show and volunteers raise money and spread awareness this holiday season © 2013 Jennifer Steller
By Jennifer Steller SYRACUSE (NCC NEWS) – When holiday shopping starts up again, it is no surprise that the Salvation Army bell ringers start collecting spare change for charity again as well. This year marks the 123rd Red Kettle Campaign, one of the non-profit organization’s largest and most iconic fundraising efforts. Here in Syracuse the story is the same, with more bell-ringers stationed outside more stores and other efforts to raise awareness, the Salvation Army of the Syracuse Area hopes to reach its yearly goal of $250,000 dollars, even with fewer shopping days this holiday season.
© 2013 Jennifer Steller
Holiday of Hope Light Show at the Great Northern Mall A big red kettle sits right in front of a large interactive lights display that attracts kids with bright colors and memorable characters. The Salvation Army as served both an inspiration for many of the decorations and their benefactor. Steve Scicchitano and Chris Hussak of Clay and Liverpool have been decorating their homes with interactive Christmas lights for years. As the hobby turned into a passion and attracted more and more people to their houses during the holidays, the two men decided to bring their talents to set up a new show, for the first time
© 2013 Jennifer Stelller
ever in The Great Northern Mall. They started the long process of building the display back in May and began assembling it in September, volunteering hundreds of hours of their time. “When you are using your talents to do something that brings so much to the community, it’s really not work,” said Hussak, “I just hope we get as many donations as hours we put into it.” © 2013 Jennifer Steller
Last year, Chris and Steve were the first ever to have red kettles at their homes. Set up by their lights show in their drive way, these kettles raked in about $2,000 to support the Red Kettle Campaign. With a more public location in the mall and an online red kettle set up, they hope to bring in even greater donations this season. The show begins at 5 pm and runs until the mall closes. It will be up until December 31st. “There’s a big red kettle out front. They’ve got Salvation Army shields in the display,” said Greg Meitus, Public Relations and Marketing manager for The Salvation Army of the Syracuse Area, “It’s a nice, feel-good sort of thing.”
Pulling Together for Hope © 2013 Jennifer Steller
This year close to 1,000 people in the Syracuse area will volunteer their time as Salvation Army bell ringers. In addition to familiar locations outside Walmarts, Price Choppers, and Kmarts, the non-profit has added partnerships with Nice ‘n Easy convenience stores and Fucillo car dealerships. “People are wired for many reasons to give during the holidays. I think it’s on their minds,” said Meitus, “It’s a time for giving with your family.” Annie Hugley, a Syracuse native and eight year veteran bell ringer, was set up outside of a Wal-Mart Thursday afternoon, with her portable radio tuned to play Christmas music.
© 2013 Jennifer Steller
“I volunteer because I like helping people who don’t have anything” said Hugley, “You get a chance to meet new people and a chance to talk to people.” Hugley was wearing an red Salvation Army apron with the words, “I’m a Bell Ringer,” displayed on the front.
“It’s the history really and it’s the age,” said Meitus about the impact of the red kettle, “We have really been ringing the bells for well over 100 years so I think its become a tradition.” The Syracuse Area Salvation Army served 41,789 people between July 2011 to June 2012 through shelters, food banks, rehabilitation programs, children’s daycares, and many other services. One of these programs is the yearly Christmas Bureau, which gives food and presents to poor families for the holidays. All of the money raised through the red kettles stays in the community, directly benefitting these services. “We feel like no child should go without during the holidays and no family should go hungry,” said Meitus, “That’s why we think it’s really important that we all pull together so at least on that day, people who are struggling can have hope.”
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This entry was posted in BDJ 464.02, Syracuse and tagged Bell Ringers, Christmas, donations, fundraising, Generous, Holiday of Hope Light Show, Holiday Season, Holidays, Jennifer Steller, Light Show, lights, nonprofit, red, Red Kettle Campaign, red kettles, Salvation Army, Santa, Synchronized Lights, Syracuse, The Great Northern Mall, volunteer on December 8, 2013 [https://nccnewsarchive.expressions.syr.edu/?p=119261] by Jennifer Steller.
Registration begins for the Christmas Bureau Families in Onondaga County begin registering for holiday help © 2013 Salvation Army
By Erin Jensen SYRACUSE (NCC News) – Families are now able to register for the 2013 Christmas Bureau. This holiday assistance looks to help families who are having a tough time financially. Families who qualify will receive a toy, book, and/or stocking stuffer for each child in their household under 17. In addition, teenagers 13-16 will receive two movies tickets. The Christmas Bureau also wants to ensure each family will have a warm meal this holiday season. Recipients in the Christmas Bureau will receive a turkey and all the fixings needed for a feast.
© 2013 Salvation Army
Eligibility To qualify, families must meet the following criteria. Be able to prove economic need. Have children in the household under the age of 17 Be residents of Onondaga County Food baskets and gifts will be distributed December 23 at the Oncenter. The Salvation Army is expected to help 3,000 families this holiday season.
Registration Times and Locations Refugee Center, 501 Park St. Wednesday, Dec. 4 10 a.m.–5:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 5 10 a.m.–5:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Onondaga Tabernacle 7453 Morgan Rd., Liverpool Saturday, Dec. 7 10 a.m.–2 p.m. Salina Civic Center 2628 LeMoyne Ave., Mattydale Saturday, Dec. 7 10 a.m.–2 p.m. Oncenter 800 S. State St. Monday, Dec. 9 10 a.m.–5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 10 10 a.m.–5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 11 10 a.m.–5:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 12 10 a.m.–7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 13 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
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This entry was posted in BDJ 664.01, Syracuse, Uncategorized and tagged Christmas, Christmas Bureau, Salvation Army on December 4, 2013 [https://nccnewsarchive.expressions.syr.edu/? p=119034] by Erin Jensen.
#GivingTuesday starts to trend in Central New York How local charities are becoming part of the movement Julianne Dellorso SYRACUSE (NCC News) – The holiday season should be about giving, right? That’s what the 92nd street Y had in mind when they partnered with national charities to start #GivingTuesday in 2012. #GivingTuesday is a movement designated for the Tuesday after Thanksgiving. That day, people are encouraged to make a donation, volunteer, give blood, or make any sort of charitable contribution to society. After the consumer-centric shopping days of Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, and Cyber Monday, it’s a great way to get into the holiday spirit. People are encouraged to share their involvement with the hashtag #GivingTuesday on all forms of social media, similar to how they would for a Black Friday sale. Tis the season of giving.
They can also post a picture of themselves doing the charitable act, and use the hashtag #unselfie to show the giving nature of the act.
@United Way of CNY (c) 2013 Julianne Dellorso
Creating awareness in CNY According to Forbes, last year, more than 50 million people shared the event socially. For the Central New York chapter of the United Way, this year’s #GivingTuesday was about doing just that. According to Vince Spicola, the marketing and communications director, the charity used their Facebook, Twitter, and website to help share the movement this year. “We’re looking at this year as more of an awareness year,” said Spicola. “We’re not necessarily looking for…I mean we’d love for people to go to the our website and to donate to United Way on this #GivingTuesday. But we’re looking more at it this year as an awareness.”
Salvation Army lights up #GivingTuesday The Salvation Army is one of the charities that originally teamed up with then 92nd Street Y to bring us #GivingTuesday. At the Syracuse chapter of the Salvation Army, public relations and marketing manager Greg Meitus said that the Tuesday after Thanksgiving is great timing for the event. “I think non-profits are very dependent on the final quarter of every year, because the majority of people do most of their charitable giving around the holidays,” said Meitus. The charity is using #GivingTuesday to launch another event, called the Holiday Hope Light Show at the Great Northern Mall on Tuesday evening as well. The idea was conceptualized by two gentlemen who have given countless hours to the charity to make the event happen. “What a great example of #GivingTuesday,” said Meitus. “It’s sort of a personification of people in the community who want to do something to help. Also to use their creativity to encourage others to give.” Both Meitus and Spicola said they had no specific goal in mind for this year’s #GivingTuesday, but they both hope that the event will grow in years to come.
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This entry was posted in BDJ 664.02 and tagged #GivingTuesday, Black Friday, Cyber Monday, Salvation Army, Small Business Saturday, United Way, UWCNY on December 3, 2013 [https://nccnewsarchive.expressions.syr.edu/?p=118916] by Julianne Dellorso.
‘Tis the Season: The Salvation Army’s Red Kettle Campaign is Back Alongside the workers who help make the campaign a success By Julianne Dellorso SYRACUSE (NCC News) – You’ve heard the bells…but you rarely hear from the people who ring them: the ones who stand outside in the cold for hours at a time, ringing the bell to help remind passersby to donate to charity. Each year, the Salvation Army puts on the Red Kettle Campaign to help raise money to fight homeless, hunger, and other causes in communities. This year, the campaign is already underway at more than seventeen locations throughout Syracuse. John Clarke rings the bell outside Macy’s (c) 2013 Julianne Dellorso
Where does the money go? According to Captain Luby, the proceeds stay local. An undisclosed portion of the money raised by the annual Red Kettle campaign goes to workers and volunteers who man the posts. “[A] portion of your dollar is directed towards the services, or supplies that we consume in the course of ringing the bell. [Such as] gas and food for the workers, and the wages and/or other compensation that is paid to the folks who are out there ringing the bell,” said Captain Luby.
Braving the cold Some of the money that goes towards keeping the volunteers warm. Captain Luby says the Salvation Army provides volunteers with gloves, hand warmers, and hats to help them brave the elements. Annie Hughley has been volunteering for the Salvation Army for nine years, and was standing outside the JC Penney at Destiny USA in 35 –degree temperatures. Aside from her Army-provided cap and gloves, she said that knows how to handle the cold. “Oh I deal with it good because I ring the bell and I keep moving around and keep warm,” Hughley said. According to Luby, the Salvation Army also has arrangements to keep their volunteers from catching cold. “For the most part, [the volunteers are] sheltered. There’s something overhead, you know, an overhang,” said Luby. “We have agreements with most of the retailers that if the weather gets pretty severe or its gets bitterly cold, they’ll let them come just inside into the lobby or the vestibule. “ That’s just what John Clarke, who has been volunteering for six years and usually works outside the Macy’s at Destiny USA, does. “At times I go back in the store a bit, come out, warm up, and come back. It’s like a reversing thing running back and forth,” said Clarke. “But it’s very fun, I love it.”
Why volunteer?/workman’s comp Clarke said “I volunteer because I Iove to do it for people. It’s like a giving and caring thing. Give and you shall receive.” The holiday spirit he imbibes from volunteering isn’t the only thing he receives. Clarke said he is given a thirty dollar food voucher for every night that he volunteers. He said that he’s issued a check at the end of each week with the appropriate amount for the amount of time he has worked.
“You’d be amazed…” “…how many folks apply to do this every Christmas season,” said Captain Luby. “They love it, you know. The colder, the better. They dress, you know, as the old saying goes […] you can shed layers. Folks look forward to doing it.” Captain Luby said the ringers’ efforts are expected to raise over $250,000 for the Salvation Army in Syracuse.
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This entry was posted in BDJ 664.02 and tagged Destiny USA, donate, JC Penney, Jingle Bells, Red Kettle, Salvation Army, Syracuse on November 20, 2013 [https://nccnewsarchive.expressions.syr.edu/?p=118197] by Julianne Dellorso.
New York’s Health Insurance Exchange Website Experiencing Technical Issues Syracuse feeling the effects By Andrew Pogar SYRACUSE (NCC News) – On Tuesday, President Obama’s polarizing health care law officially launched nationwide allowing millions of individuals and small businesses to purchase coverage online. But it hasn’t been a favorable start for the health care reform. Similar to many other states, New York’s exchange called “NY State of Health” has dealt with technical glitches on its website that have ultimately led to a temporary shutdown, impeding answers to health exchange problems.
(c) 2013 AP Photo/Mel Evans
HealtheConnections and The Salvation Army collaborate Service providers in Onondaga County and the city of Syracuse are finding ways to work around these issues. Executive Director Sara Wall Bollinger of HealtheConnections in Syracuse facilitates a “navigator program” which focuses on educating potential enrollees about the health plan marketplace. With web traffic and glitches keeping uninsured people from enrolling, Wall Bollinger and her staff have had their work cut out for them. “Essentially it resulted in some delays,” said Wall Bollinger. “We had to reschedule some people for next week because we were not able to serve them this week because of the website being down.” Wall Bollinger says that the current inaccessibility of the website will force HealtheConnections to hire more people. “We need to recruit some more navigators and get them trained because we do anticipate now the volume will be great so we are bringing on some more staff to help us be able to see more people quickly,” said Wall Bollinger.
(c) 2013 AP Photo/M. Spencer Green
The organization has partnered with four community agencies, including The Salvation Army in helping uninsured people living in Central New York find the most suitable health insurance plan. Stacy Sturdevant is a navigator for The Salvation Army. She says she was not surprised by the online problems. “There’s millions of people trying to log onto this website,” said Sturdevant. “It’s just…I mean of course there’s going to be issues that are going to need to be worked out.” Sturdevant says she expects the website to be back up and running by Monday.
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This entry was posted in BDJ 664.01 and tagged Health Care, health insurance, navigator, President Obama, Salvation Army, small businesses, website on October 5, 2013 [https://nccnewsarchive.expressions.syr.edu/?p=111152] by Andrew Pogar.
Navigator Training HealtheConnections chosen to lead Navigator program in Onondaga County By Mike McCann SYRACUSE (NCC NEWS) – HealtheConnections, a health planning organization in Syracuse, has been chosen to lead the Navigator Program in Onondaga County, according to the New York State Department of Health. The Navigator program requires given counties to assign individuals at certain organizations to help provide access to health insurance. Three of those organizations had members present at a Navigator training meeting on Friday: The Salvation Army, South Side Innovation Center, and Benefit Specialists of New York. HealtheConnections Executive Director for health Planning Sara Bollinger explains procedure in a meeting of Navigators
Helping out The program is designed to educate potential health care enrollees about a new health plan market place. The market place will open on October 1 as part of the Affordable Care Act, more commonly known as Obamacare, according to the NYS Department of Health. “With the income levels going up, more people are going to be able to afford insurance,” said Stacy Sturdevant, the Syracuse area’s Salvation Army Navigator. “The people that were a dollar or two over…can now be under that cost to get that insurance.”
Working out the kinks Because the program is so new and health insurance will ideally be easier to attain, Sturdevant said it could be hectic for Navigators. “I’m just wondering if the whole computer system can hold up to the flood of people coming in and out,” Sturdevant said. “There’s probably going to be problems with the system…but hopefully in a perfect world, everything will run smooth.” The program is available for customers on October 1, with purchased plans effective Jan 1, 2014, according to the New York State Department of Health.
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This entry was posted in BDJ 664.01, Uncategorized and tagged HealtheConnections, Mike McCann, New York State Department of Health, Salvation Army, Sara Bollinger, Stacy Sturdevant, Syracuse on September 13, 2013 [https://nccnewsarchive.expressions.syr.edu/?p=107699] by Michael McCann.
Workers’ Time Is Precious Commodity The Salvation Army says workers can only help so often © AP/Hans Pennink
By Mike McCann SYRACUSE (NCC NEWS) – The constant rain in Central New York may finally be nearing its end. Unfortunately for many people, the effects of the rain are just beginning. The Salvation Army has stepped to the plate during this time of need. Major Karla Clark is the General Secretary of the Empire State Division. She knew just how devastating an event like this could be, not only for those affected but also for the workers. “It’s a lot, you know?” Clark said. “You’re seeing people that are just hurting and a lot of just distraught over the situation they are dealing with.”
© AP/Hans Pennink
Numbers dropping One of the biggest jobs the Salvation Army has during a time like this is providing meals to those impacted by the flooding. Clark estimated the Salvation Army has already given out over 10,000 meals as a result of the floods. Yet that number may not be as high as it could be. “We’ve served less meals now starting (Monday)…but it makes sense,” Clark said. “We kind of expected it, but you just have to wait and see simply because people…got to go back to work.” Clark recognized that volunteers often have other obligations. She does expect meal servings to increase once the weekend hits.
Bringing the meals to the people The delivery process is more complicated than distributing all of the food at some sort of gathering place. Clark said that with all the hassles of trying to recover from a disaster, people do not necessarily want to drive when there is so much else they could be doing.
© AP/Mike Groll
“We’ve found with (delivery) that people don’t really want to go to a central location,” Clark said. “We’ve been taking food to them.” Clark said mobile canteens (emergency mobile feeding units) are the main vehicle the Salvation Army uses for distribution. They are useful because of a window located on the side, from which volunteers can distribute meals.
© AP/Mike Groll
Still work to be done Clark said that while it may not be as gratifying an experience as one may like, donations of cash are still the most effective, because that gives the Salvation Army the most options. The organization is now determining the most efficient way to help those in need, long term.
Listen to the story here: Salvation Final Audio This entry was posted in BDJ 663.02, Uncategorized and tagged CanTeen, central new york, Flood, Karla Clark, Mike McCann, Salvation Army on July 16, 2013 [https://nccnewsarchive.expressions.syr.edu/?p=101426] by Michael McCann.
From CNY To Oklahoma Local church helping with tornado relief clothes
By Casey Garrow LIVERPOOL (NCC NEWS) – The Liverpool Community Church is helping those affected by the tornado in Oklahoma through a clothing drive. The drive started today and will continue through Sunday at noon. The church is accepting both clothing and money. All clothing is being distributed through the Salvation Army while money will be given to the American Red Cross’ efforts in Oklahoma. The church is asking for clothes from adults and children under the age of six. The clothes will be collected in a pod out front of the church and the Salvation Army will come pick up the clothes on Monday. Church volunteer, Wes Eldridge, says the church is also accepting money donations, which will be sent directly to the Red
© 2013 Casey Garrow
Cross Disaster Relief Fund. “A major part of what we would like to get is children clothing, because we want to bless them and give them some clothes,” said Eldridge.
The clothes and money will be sent to Moore, Oklahoma as soon as next week to help those in need. The Liverpool Community Church is one of the first in the area to help with the relief efforts and Eldridge hopes they can make an impact that matters. “This is a big way we can bless them and give them clothing, because like I said all their possession have just been blown away, scattered over miles, there’s really no way to recover from that,” said Eldridge.
When you can donate Thursday and Friday : 7:30 to 9 a.m. / 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. / 3:30 to 6 p.m. Saturday: 7:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. Sunday: 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
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This entry was posted in BDJ 665.02 and tagged American Red Cross, clothing drive, donate, Liverpool, Liverpool Community Church, oklahoma, Salvation Army, tornado on May 22, 2013 [https://nccnewsarchive.expressions.syr.edu/?p=94271] by Casey Garrow.
From CNY To Oklahoma Local church helping with tornado relief By Thomas Eck SYRACUSE (NCC NEWS) – The Liverpool Community Church is helping those affected by the tornado in Oklahoma through a clothing drive. The drive started today and will continue through Sunday at noon. The church is accepting both clothing and money. All clothing is being distributed through the Salvation Army while money will be given to the American Red Cross’s efforts in Oklahoma. To find out how you can help, check back to nccnewsonline.com later for NCC News reporter Casey Garrow’s full story. This entry was posted in BDJ 665.02, Onondaga County and tagged American Red Cross, Liverpool Community Church, oklahoma, Salvation Army, tornado on May 22, 2013 [https://nccnewsarchive.expressions.syr.edu/?p=94197] by Thomas Eck.
Salvation Army Lends a Hand Families register for Christmas Bureau items By Mark Sell SYRACUSE (NCC NEWS) – Thanksgiving: over. But the next set of holidays: right around the corner. The time spent from shopping for biscuits, cranberry sauce and a turkey will now be dedicated toward gifts in the next month. Aside from the theme of presents during the holiday season, family can never be forgotten. For some low-income families in the Syracuse area, the Salvation Army is helping out once again. Wednesday afternoon, at the Refugee Center on Park St., was the first day for family members to register for the organization’s “Christmas Bureau.” In return, those who qualify will receive a turkey dinner, as well as a book and children’s toy for every child in the household. For Salvation Army Public Relations and Marketing Director Greg Meitus, the objective is simple. © 2012 Mark Sell
“[It’s] to make sure that all families in our community are able to celebrate the holidays with their family,” said Meitus. “We just feel it’s important to make sure that no one goes unnoticed on the holidays.”
Meitus also added that he expects 2,500 to 3,000 people to attend and successfully register during registration, which will run through Dec. 16 at various locations in the area, such as the Onondaga Tabernacle and the Salina Civic Center. While there may be different places, most people also have different backgrounds when they show up to register. And when it comes to diversity in the Syracuse community for Salvation Army CEO George Polarek, there are three parts to the overall message. “Meeting needs, healing hurts and changing lives,” said Polarek. “[It] doesn’t matter where the culture is or what part of the world you come to; if you’re here in this city and you have a need, Salvation Army should be able to change its own definition of need in order to serve the individual family.”
Income qualifications Depending on the number of family members, successful registration is based on whether the specific family’s annual gross income is less than or equal to the maximum amount (credit: “Christmas Bureau Income Eligibility”) 2 (family members) = $22,695 (max. gross income) 3 = $28,635 4 = $34,575 5 = $40,515 6 = $46,445 7 = $52,395 8 = $58,335
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This entry was posted in BDJ 464.03 and tagged Christmas Bureau, Refugee Center, Salvation Army, Syracuse on December 3, 2012 [https://nccnewsarchive.expressions.syr.edu/?p=74496] by Mark Sell.