A drop in the kettle

What drives Salvation Army collections





	Judy Lewis and Kennith Armstead package food items for a complete Thanksgiving meal. Photo by Jennifer Choi (click for larger version)

November 19, 2009 | 12:12 PM
The Salvation Army is an international organization making a difference in local communities along the North Shore.

The faith-based charitable organization headquartered in London serves in 118 countries to help people in need without discrimination, according to its website. In the United States, the Greater New York Division serves the five boroughs of New York City, Long Island and seven counties in Hudson Valley. Adhering to a quasi-militaristic structure, The Salvation Army operates 39 corps community centers in the New York division, including locations in East Northport and Riverhead in Suffolk County, and all officers are ordained ministers who have titles according to rank such as captain and major.

Major William Bender, corps commanding officer at the East Northport center, said volunteers are hard at work this holiday season packaging and distributing food items for a complete Thanksgiving meal and collecting donations in the familiar red kettles. From now until December 24, Bender said volunteers will set up stations throughout the Town of Huntington for the red kettle fundraising drive to reach this year's goal of $100,000.

A corps officer since 1984, Bender said "people in the community have been excellent over the years" and helped raise $77,000 last year. Bender, whose parents are retired corps officers, said he was "born into The Salvation Army" and has taken joy in helping children and families in need. "That doesn't lose value," he said. "I believe the Lord's blessed us in things that we can do to help others in our community."

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Assisting Bender at the East Northport center are several volunteers including South Huntington resident Bob Dwyer, who became involved a few months ago. Dwyer said he began volunteering to spend his spare time "more productively" and noted that members of The Salvation Army are "trusting and giving and caring people."

"They make it very, very easy to want to volunteer for them," he said, noting that the experience has been "excellent."

Judy Lewis, another volunteer, travels six days a week from Riverhead to work at the community center. Having been involved for over 15 years, Lewis said she "got attached to the people" at the East Northport location. Asked why she enjoys volunteering, Lewis replied, "Because I love people."

Brentwood resident Kennith Armstead has also been volunteering since 2006. Armstead, who was introduced to The Salvation Army 12 years ago, said he was "saved" by the charitable organization when his life was in "turmoil and grief."

"I love the Lord and how he changed my life," he said. "I can never repay what's been given to me."

At the Suffolk County Service Extension office in Blue Point, Commack resident Stacey Fugit has served as a volunteer for the past four months. Fugit, who became unemployed last December, said she's lucky to have her husband's support but understands that many others are not as fortunate. "There are so many people who don't have that and it just breaks my heart," she said, noting that it has been "very rewarding" to donate her time at The Salvation Army.

Among the residents seeking assistance at the Blue Point office, about 60 percent are newcomers affected by the national economic crisis, according to Corps Officer Charles Roberts.

"They're neighbors just like us, ordinary people in extraordinary circumstances," Roberts said, noting that The Salvation Army needs the support of the community "more than ever."

In addition to the officers who oversee the community centers, a Suffolk County advisory board also addresses the needs of each center. Board member Richard Rocchio, a Stony Brook resident, said people in need come from all across Long Island, including communities that appear to be affluent such as Old Field and Setauket.

Rocchio, who became involved with The Salvation Army 60 years ago, encouraged the public to learn more about the organization and lend a helping hand if possible. "The needs have gone up and the money has gone down," he said. "It's a crisis situation."

Visit www.salvationarmy-newyork.org.

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