It’s Christmas as usual at the Salvation Army Austin Corps, where that means business as usual.

Thursday, December 21, 2000

It’s Christmas as usual at the Salvation Army Austin Corps, where that means business as usual.

People in need are receiving help.

The Salvation Army does this every day of the year, of course. However, these Christian soldiers march to a quicker beat each Christmas, when the needs seem greater.

Salvation Army volunteers will tell anyone "Jesus is the reason for the season." They will also tell all the reward of helping others is reason enough to try to do so much for so many.

This year, 326 families will receive Christmas baskets. Hams donated by the Austin Lions Go Kart unit and food items from food drives held at local schools, churches and businesses. And there’s presents for children. This year, it took an entire truck to haul all the gifts donated by Hormel Foods Corp. plant, research and development, corporate and corporate south employees.

"We’re helping more families than single adults and senior citizens this year," said Lori Espe, volunteer and social services coordinator for the Austin Corps. "Among the families, who are eligible, the largest number are those with three- to five members."

According to Espe, the distribution of Christmas baskets will take place today, beginning 9:30 a.m. and concluding at 4:30 p.m.

This is different from last year, when two days were used to distribute the baskets to the needy.

Eligible family members must come to the Salvation Army Austin Corps headquarters with proper identification to collect their Christmas baskets.

Also today, recipients of the Sharing Tree project at OakPark Mall and the Stocking Tree project at Target Store Austin will receive their gifts.

"We appreciate the generosity of everyone. They are going to make Christmas a happy holiday for some deserving people," Espe said.

Before the baskets can be distributed, they must be packed and that took place yesterday at the Salvation Army.

Volunteers are also needed for a few bellringing locations. The familiar Salvation Army red kettle drive is on pace with a year ago, but some openings for bellringers remain Friday and Saturday, when the kettle drive concludes.

Also, Espe said the Salvation Army’s annual fund drive to raise $92,000 for holiday expenses is moving forward. Officials have not released any figures.

How does it make one feel to be in the eye of the happy storm of activity at Christmastime? Espe said it feels good.

"This is my third Christmas working for the Salvation Army," she said. "Before that, I’ve been helped by the Army."

"It feels good to be a part of something like this," she said. "I never was on a gift pickup before we went to the Hormel Foods places that day, and to see so many wonderful presents those people were donating to help others makes you feel so good for those who will be receiving them.

"Everybody has been very positive this season at the Salvation Army," she said.

More to do Christmas Day

When this week’s work is done, there is still more to do.

The Salvation Army will host a Christmas Day dinner Monday 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the community center.

Once again, the energetic members of Bethlehem Free Methodist Church will prepare and serve the meal.

However, more volunteers are needed to assist the church members Christmas Day.

For more information about assisting the bellringers or helping serve the Christmas dinner, call 437-4566.