Salvation Army Seeks Donations To Support Veterans, Homeless

PORTLAND, OR — The Salvation Army's Portland locations, with help from community partners, are hosting several events Friday to help raise money for the organization's annual red kettle campaign. The Salvation Army has so far raised just more than 50 percent of its $750,000 goal for 2017, and it only has eight days left to complete the task.

Helping approximately 74,000 people across the metro region every year, The Salvation Army's red kettle campaign gives back to the local community in which the funds were donated, helping to support food and after school programs, clothing needs, and more, according to Salvation Army officer Capt. Marcos Marquez.

"We are so grateful for the community's support throughout the year, and right now, we are asking that everyone dig a little deeper and give a nickel, quarter, dollar or more at the next kettle they see," said Marquez, Corps Officer at The Salvation Army Portland Moore Street Corps. "Your donations can literally change lives. We know that people see the needs of this community, and we are confident that they will respond generously."

On Dec. 6, Marquez was shocked to find an anonymous donor had dropped $10,000 into one of the organization's kettles. That amount goes a long way, Marquez told Patch, but sadly more is still needed to meet the growing need and rising costs.

"The season still has a ways to go," he said Dec. 7. "While this ($10,000) donation is a major benefit to our goal, we do not want people to think that we're done for the year. There is still an opportunity to ring or to give back to your community by donating to the work of The Salvation Army."

On Dec. 15, the region's Salvation armies will receive assistance from the Portland Downtown Rotary Club and Integrity Staffing, Inc.

From 12 to 1 p.m., Rotary members will post up at red kettle locations at Pioneer Square and throughout downtown to help ring bells and draw attention to campaign, just as it has every Christmas for the past 89 years.

"The motto of Rotary is: 'Service over Self;' and the ethos of The Salvation Army is: 'Serving Others;' so it seems like a perfect match to have these two service organizations come together and raise funds for those in need in the Portland community," Salvation Army spokesman Capt. Jared Arnold said in a statement. "With only eight days of ringing left for this year, the need for volunteers and volunteer groups is highly needed and appreciated. The Downtown Rotary Club understands this and is doing their part."

And on Friday morning, Integrity Staffing, Inc. will deliver the proceeds of its second annual sweater drive to The Salvation Army Veterans and Family Center at 14825 S.W. Farmington Rd. in Beaverton.

With the deaths of 80 homeless people reported in the 2016 Domicile Unknown report released this week, the need for shelter and winter clothes in the region is abundantly clear; and the Beaverton shelter reportedly provides shelter and services for hundreds of Veterans and their families every year, Arnold said.

"The goal of The Salvation Army Veterans and Family Center is to help Veterans and their families, no matter who they are; and while we might not have the capacity to shelter every Veteran experiencing homelessness, we do know how important it is to keep them warm during the winter months," said Capt. Robert Steiner, Portland Metro Coordinator for The Salvation Army. "Having these sweatshirts available to distribute to our clients who are not yet sheltered is one way in which we can meet their needs. We are always working on making available space for new clients, but in the meantime, we still want to help those in need with the resources we have."

To sign-up to ring for The Salvation Army, go to ringportland.org or call 503-794-3242. And for more information, or to make a donation, visit portland.salvationarmy.org.

Anyone wanting to make a monetary donation can do so by mailing The Salvation Army at 8495 S.E. Monterey Ave., Happy Valley, OR 97086-7844.

Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images