Time is running out for the Salvation Army Austin Corps.

Tuesday, December 21, 1999

Time is running out for the Salvation Army Austin Corps.

With only four days to go until Christmas, fund-raising efforts are at 65 percent of this year’s goal.

The goal of this year’s Tree of Lights fund drive is $86,600. Through last Friday, $58,398 was collected.

The direct mail part of the fund-drive is at 75 percent of its goal, "white" mail or unsolicited donations, 62 percent, and the kettles, 57 percent.

The bells will cease to ring at 2 p.m. Friday, when the kettle drive ends.

According to Capt. Douglas Yeck, officer in charge, "For Christmas, we have done a very nice job, but the demands keep coming in throughout the year. We have to be aware for that and prepared to meet those demands, too."

But is Yeck disappointed? Answer: No.

After all, it is Christmas, and nobody does Christmas better than the Salvation Army.

"I have really good feelings about what is happening this year in Mower County," Yeck said. "I have very warm feelings actually. Austin has been very generous again. There are some wonderful stories unfolding this Christmas. It’s just wonderful to see how much people care."

From 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. today and Wednesday, except for the noon to 1 p.m. lunch hour, food baskets and presents will be distributed to the needy.

According to Lori Espe, volunteer coordinator, 310 food baskets will be handed out to disadvantaged families.

"We’re saving some extra food baskets for those last-minute requests that walk in to the Salvation Army offices," Espe said. "The food baskets are going to people all over Mower County, but most of them are from Austin."

"This year, there are more new people than last year," Espe said. "We’re seeing more first-time requests for assistance at Christmastime. Overall, the numbers are about the same as 1998’s, but there are less returnees and more new requests so it is about the same at this time.

"Overall, these people really need the help," she said.

On Monday, the Salvation Army headquarters was a picture of "controlled chaos." Twenty youths from the Austin High School National Honor Society chapter helped pack the food baskets, wrap presents and perform other holiday tasks.

Some familiar faces were also there.

Bill Newell and daughter, Karen, representing the Austin ShrineClub, returned this year to help, as did the Ken Huntley family.

"They were all great and we really appreciate their help," Espe said of the volunteers.

The Austin Rotary Club made a donation of toys and other presents to the Salvation Army after a midday appearance before the club’s members by the Salvation Army’s officers in charge, Doug and Linda Yeck.

Also Monday, Midwest Wireless in Austin donated a "sleigh full of toys."

It was part of a Cellular 2000 and ClearlyDigital promotion.

"Our hope was that customers would see this incentive as another reason to give during the holiday season," said Tom Riley, Midwest Wireless vice president of market operations.

Money raised from the promotion will be distributed to the Salvation Army in January, according to Riley.

The Stocking Tree Project remains in effect at Target in Austin.

"For a first-time project, it has gone over very well this year and the Target store management asked us to leave it going for the rest of this week," Espe said.

The Angel Tree Project at OakPark Mall has closed with all the names of needy children claimed by generous shoppers.

When Christmas arrives Saturday, the work of the Salvation Army continues. That’s when volunteers and Salvation Army staff will prepare a traditional Christmas dinner for the needy.

Also Christmas Day, the Peter Klein family will be serving a traditional Christmas dinner to the needy at the Mower County Senior Citizens Center.

"I don’t think there will be a conflict. I don’t think there is any competition between the two of us at all. We both want to help make Christmas a merrier holiday and there are enough people to go around who will enjoy the Christmas cheer," Espe said.

Serving at the Salvation Army community center will be from noon to 1:30 p.m. Saturday.

For the second consecutive year, members of Bethlehem Free Methodist Church will serve the meal.

Other volunteers are welcome to assist in delivering Christmas Day meals to shut-ins, serving the food or cleaning up after the celebration.

For more information about helping this week and Christmas, call 437-4566.