Friday is last day to call Salvation Army for Adopt-A-Family appointments

[November 04, 2010]  Rebecca Van Nydeggen, director of The Salvation Army of Logan County, says that families interested in being interviewed for the Adopt-A-Family program need to call Thursday and Friday to request an interview appointment. Families who have not applied for holiday assistance from other agencies or programs are eligible to apply for Adopt-A-Family.

Details for what a family needs to do to set up an interview appointment are recorded on the Keest Center office phone at 732-7890.

Van Nydeggen says that during each interview appointment, families and individuals will document their financial hardship and specific needs.

If approved for the Adopt-A-Family program, the family will then be matched with an anonymous sponsor who will provide needed items in time for Christmas. Individuals and families receiving holiday assistance will also remain anonymous to the sponsor.

"In 2010, we are seeing many families with more than one wage earner out of work or with reduced hours or longer layoff periods. Many of the people and families we are seeing this year have never been to any social service agency before. In some cases they feel bewildered or hesitant to ask us for help. Desperation drives them to our door. We also continue to see seniors whose only income is Social Security. Rent, utilities, food and health care costs continue to go up, but the Social Security COLA has not."

The Salvation Army's motto is "Doing the Most Good." The Adopt-A-Family, Warm for the Weather and Home for the Holidays programs are all part of Salvation Army programs helping families during the Christmas season.

Van Nydeggen said that the casework services for Salvation Army clients determine each family's most pressing need and the greatest threat to their financial stability. The Salvation Army's goal is to prevent transience (repeated instability in housing) and actual homelessness and to help people get back on their feet.

"Our assistance programs are designed to lift families up, not to create dependency," she said.

Families wishing to interview for holiday assistance should call 732-7890 to find out details no later than Friday.

Individuals, businesses, churches, civic groups or clubs wishing to be Adopt-A-Family sponsors or to donate items for the Warm for the Weather program may call the same number and leave a message.

[Text from file received]