Salvation Army

I am a long-time customer of Giant supermarkets who was very disappointed at the chain's decision to limit the time that bell ringers can collect funds for the good work of the Salvation Army ( "Hear them ring," Nov. 26). At a time that the media, if not our own experiences, tells us that many people are having difficulty as a result of a struggling economy, more time should be given to allow those trying to help collect needed funds. Dropping a donation in the kettle is quicker than writing a check and can put loose change to work for others.

Editor: The Havre de Grace Arts Commission held our annual Children's Art Festival Oct. 1 at Tydings Park. John Smack of the Vulcan Corporation serves on the Havre de Grace Chamber of Commerce Board. I asked John if some of his men would volunteer to help our festival committee unload our trucks with arts supplies, put up our signs and banners and set up the tables for the various art projects for the day. Without hesitation John replied, "Yes we would be more than happy to help you with this project.

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - There could be less jingle in the Salvation's Army's hallmark red kettles this season. The charity is testing kettles that take debit and credit cards. The growth of so-called "plastic kettles" comes as fewer shoppers carry cash. Last year Salvation Army tested the credit machines in two cities, Dallas and Colorado Springs. This year the plastic kettles will be tested in more than 120 cities. The kettles that take credit don't look any different. But next to the metal red kettles are wireless card readers that resemble do-it-yourself readers at gas stations.

For more than two decades, bell-ringing Salvation Army volunteers collected donations outside Giant Food stores, a holiday season ritual that gave shoppers a convenient way to help the less fortunate. Last fall, Giant enforced a sharp reduction in the number of hours that charitable groups could operate in front of its stores. Now, the Salvation Army says the policy change helped cause a steep drop in its end-of-year fundraising drive across the Washington region. Overall, the organization raised $1.1 million, or 25 percent less than its goal, the Salvation Army announced this week.

Shoppers will hear less bell-jingling, clinking change and holiday cheer outside grocery stores this winter. A new policy by the Giant Food chain will limit the number of days and hours charitable groups such as the Salvation Army can raise funds in front of their stores. The move has left officials with the Salvation Army worried. "It's hard for us because we'll lose, particularly in the Baltimore area, a considerable amount of income," said Maj. Rick Mikles, the general secretary for the Maryland and West Virginia Division of the Salvation Army.

The Salvation Army of Annapolis has set a goal of $125,000 for its 1996 Christmas Kettle Campaign and has added five kettle locations to the usual 15.The goal is nearly double the $63,000 volunteers collected last year.To help achieve the goal, the Salvation Army is pursuing local service organizations to adopt kettle locations and have volunteers at the kettles six days a week from Nov. 22 through early Christmas Eve.Several local groups, including Kiwanis of the Severn, Annapolis Civitan Club, Annapolis Rotary Club, Kiwanis of Crofton and Kiwanis of Mayo, have agreed to become "Kettle Keepers."

THE Salvation Army -- one of the brightest "points of light" in America's volunteer ranks -- may have to discontinue a program for alcoholics and drug addicts because of federal government interference.This clash between true compassion and the regulatory mind-set goes beyond the problem of overzealous bureaucrats. It reveals the growing rift between those who help people help themselves and those who believe that only government is capable of helping people. It reveals, in essence, a clash between a culture rooted in traditional American values and one based on the cold, contractual relationships of the bureaucratic welfare state.

Diane Shingleton said she was 11 when her mother told her that God had something special in store for her.Three years later, she felt the Lord calling her out of the Salvation Army church in Grafton, W.Va., and into his service.Today, she is Captain Shingleton, 29, new commander of the Salvation Army office in Glen Burnie. She replaces Diane Johnson, who held the post for two years before leaving to prepare for three years in Russia as a missionary.Captain Shingleton, who previously was in Frederick, has spent her first days in Glen Burnie meeting the staff and learning how to navigate her way to work from her Brooklyn Park home.

Donations to the Glen Burnie Salvation Army are down this year, partly because there aren't enough volunteers to ring bells at the organization's kettles, said Capt. Diane Shingleton.Money taken in during the North County kettle drive accounts for a large part of the group's funds, she said. The group collected $65,000 last year and had hoped to garner donations of $75,000 this year."We're going to have to really do a lot of praying to get volunteers and reach that goal," said Captain Shingleton.

The Salvation Army of Annapolis will kick off its 1993 Christmas Campaign at 4:30 p.m. tomorrow in the Food Court at Annapolis Mall.Shoppers can select tags with the names of needy children from the Angel Tree, then buy gifts and place them under the tree.Left turn prohibited: Bestgate onto RoweThe county Department of Public Works is temporarily prohibiting motorists on new Bestgate Road from making left turns onto Rowe Boulevard.Normal traffic patterns will resume Dec. 10, after workers install a traffic signal.

I am a long-time customer of Giant supermarkets who was very disappointed at the chain's decision to limit the time that bell ringers can collect funds for the good work of the Salvation Army ( "Hear them ring," Nov. 26). At a time that the media, if not our own experiences, tells us that many people are having difficulty as a result of a struggling economy, more time should be given to allow those trying to help collect needed funds. Dropping a donation in the kettle is quicker than writing a check and can put loose change to work for others.

Breathes there a man with soul so dead he hasn't felt better about himself after dropping a donation in a Salvation Army red kettle? Apparently so. Responding in part to shoppers' aversion to being asked for money, Giant Food has cut back the amount of time Salvation Army workers can ring their bells outside some of their area supermarkets. This holiday season, the bell ringers at some Giant stores are limited to four-hour stretches for 12 days in November and December. Last year, the ringers worked about 40 days at stores during those two months.

Shoppers will hear less bell-jingling, clinking change and holiday cheer outside grocery stores this winter. A new policy by the Giant Food chain will limit the number of days and hours charitable groups such as the Salvation Army can raise funds in front of their stores. The move has left officials with the Salvation Army worried. "It's hard for us because we'll lose, particularly in the Baltimore area, a considerable amount of income," said Maj. Rick Mikles, the general secretary for the Maryland and West Virginia Division of the Salvation Army.

Help at detention center Volunteers 21 and older, who pass a background check, are needed at the Jennifer Road Detention Center to work in the library, assist with pre-GED classes and the education program, facilitate self-help workshops on parenting, job readiness, financial issues and more. Training is provided. The education program is held Wednesday and Thursday evenings; self-help workshop scheduling is flexible. Information: 410-222-7093 or e-mail dcmcdo01@aacounty.

•Volunteers are needed at the 511 S. Crain Highway location to serve lunch to the homeless between 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Wednesdays and Fridays. Call 410-768-0477 for more information. •Volunteers are needed to drop off donations Monday through Friday for the Salvation Army's food pantries in Annapolis and Glen Burnie. Suggested items include nonperishable canned goods and boxed food; toiletries are also welcome. Groups that hold food drives can arrange to have the food picked up. For information, call 410-263-4091.

On January 25, 2010, George's wishes were to be cremated and then have a private burial at sea. Contributions may be made to The Salvation Army, Greater Baltimore Area, 814 Light St., Baltimore, MD 21230-3994. www.ruckfuneralhomes.com

Dr. Faye Allen, a community activist and widow of Dr. Aris T. Allen, has been named chairwoman of the Annapolis Salvation Army's 1994 Christmas campaign.Dr. Allen has been very active in the Annapolis community, including working as a part-time clinician with the county Health Department. She has received several awards for service from organizations such as the American Cancer Society and Mount Moriah A.M.E. Church.The Salvation Army still is accepting applications from people needing food, clothing and toys for Christmas.

The Glen Burnie Salvation Army has asked local businesses and community leaders for help in finding a new home before its lease expires at the end of March.In August, the charity's landlord at the Glen Plaza Shopping Center agreed to extend the lease through March. But Capt. Diane Shingleton, commander of the Glen Burnie Salvation Army, said the nonprofit organization has been unable to find a place to go.The Salvation Army feeds and clothes needy North County residents.Those interested in helping may call 410-768-0477.