BELLS ARE RINGING — Trudy Lash, left, and Rita Olsen were among staff from the Jefferson County Community Action Council who recently staffed the Salvation Army’s kettle outside the Kroger store in Steubenville’s Hollywood City Center. Local leaders of the nonprofit group are seeking volunteers and donors to help them aid residents in need not only for Christmas but throughout the year. — Warren Scott
STEUBENVILLE — In its effort to help those in need, the Steubenville Salvation Army is employing new and old approaches, but the key to their success remains the compassion local residents have for their neighbors.
Capt. Angie Smith, who oversees the nonprofit organization with her husband Michael, said they expect to provide Christmas gifts and food to 92 Jefferson County families, including 182 children.
She noted those who encounter its familiar red kettles outside local businesses can make a donation digitally if they choose.
In addition to dropping cash or coins into the kettles, donors can make a donation there through Apple Pay or Google Pay or give using PayPal and Venmo by scanning a QR code on the buckets with their smartphones.
Smith noted supporters also can make a donation online through the Salvation Army’s website.
She said the QR codes were added in recent years to kettles across the nation in recognition that many people are carrying less cash.
“In this area, it’s slowly catching on,” said Smith, who added that fortunately, the desire to help others has always been in fashion in the Ohio Valley.
She said people also can help by volunteering to staff kettles outside the Steubenville Wal-Mart and Steubenville and Wintersville Kroger stores for two-hour periods between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday.
She said while there are several schools and other groups that send volunteers for the effort, individual volunteers also are welcome and may call (740) 282-5121 to sign up.
Smith expressed thanks to the three businesses where kettles have been placed as well as to the Wal-Mart, Shoe Sensation, Applebee’s and Bennigan’s, which have hosted angel trees bearing the Christmas wishes of the children aided by the Salvation Army.
The deadline to turn in those gifts is Friday, but those who want to help also can make a monetary donation by writing “angel trees” in the memo lines of their checks, which can be sent to: P.O. Box 1226, Steubenville, OH 43952.
Smith said donors may do the same for other programs offered by the Salvation Army.
“We do need monetary assistance. Our kettle donations are slightly down,” she said. “The kettle campaign is our number one fundraiser and it allows us to help year-round, not just during the holiday season.”
Long after the Christmas trees are taken down and decorations are put away, the Salvation Army will be aiding hundreds of Jefferson County residents with rent and utility assistance, after-school learning and hot meals, noted Smith.
“Our food pantry is open daily and we see people there who don’t come to us for Christmas aid,” she added.
Smith said the Salvation Army is very thankful for the community’s support, noting it has allowed them to provide more than 600 coats for local children, including all pupils at Pugliese Elementary East.
“We’re very grateful for the community support, from manning the kettles to selecting the angel tree gifts, we couldn’t do it without them,” she said.
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