NEWSLETTERS

No child was left behind

With unprecedented generosity, local residents responded to the needs of some 30,000 local youth and seniors this Christmas

No one knew what to expect this year.  More people than ever had registered for Christmas assistance through The Salvation Army Greater Houston Area Command’s Angel Tree program at the end of 2009 – some 25 percent more than the year before to be exact.  At the same time donations continued to arrive in significantly lower numbers than in years past. 

The Greater Houston region was still recovering from the aftermath of Hurricane Ike, and while the economy has been considerably more kind to Houston and its outlying territories, the big question was whether the growing need in our community would be met.  After seven long weeks of hard work and faithful dedication, The Salvation Army was ecstatically pleased to learn our prayers had been answered.

Each one of the nearly 30,000 local children and seniors who registered for Christmas assistance were provided gifts, our Red Kettle fundraising efforts produced hearty results, our Online Red Kettle was the top-performing virtual kettle in the United States, and dozens of new corporate sponsors stepped up to forge new partnerships with your local Salvation Army.

“The response has been overwhelming.  We knew the need was greater than ever this year and we made the decision to register as many people as we could early on.  Our faith took over at that point and we prayed to God that those who were in a position to help us meet our goals would,” says Major Chris Flanagan, Area Commander for The Salvation Army Greater Houston Area Command.  “They did and ultimately that is who our clients have to thank for what we were able to accomplish for them this year.”

In fact, partner retailers in the Angel Tree program’s sister effort The Spirit of Texas Toy Drive – a partnership between KHOU Channel 11, Randalls, The Salvation Army, and newcomers Conn’s and IHOP – reported impressive response from the public.  Toy collection bins at some locations were overflowing requiring additional pick-up dates to be added to The Salvation Army’s logistics calendar.

At the Secret Santa Warehouse, where donated toys are sorted and packaged for individual families, not a day went by that local groups and organizations did not show up in large numbers to volunteer their time.  Volunteers were also present at our Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day meals open to the public in Houston, Pasadena and Conroe, making those efforts a tremendous success as well.    

Our Harbor Light Choir performed almost nonstop throughout the end of year holiday season spreading good cheer and Christmas carols at countless events and establishments.  In the end it was their message of hope that epitomized our efforts.

“This little light of mine, I’m going to let it shine. Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine,” they sang. 

Thank you for your generosity and support this past Christmas.  May God bless you.