The local Salvation Army service unit is staffed by a committee comprised of Chaffee County DHS employees. The committee meets weekly to review applications for emergency assistance. During the holiday season, the committee organizes the traditional bell ringing campaign to raise money to fund the emergency assistance program.
COVID-19 has changed so much in our lives, including fundraising during the 2020 holiday season. We raised less than half the amount normally generated during the holiday bell ringing season.
Donations collected locally help individuals and families in need who live in Chaffee County. Only ten percent of the funds raised are kept by the parent organization, leaving ninety percent to directly help Chaffee County residents. Most assistance checks are used for housing needs, such as money for the first month rent or security deposit on a residence. Donations may prevent a family from being evicted or keep the gas and electricity on after a parent has fallen behind on rent due to a one-time illness or accident, for example.
Service clubs and other community members interested in volunteering to help raise funds should contact Lea at 719-530-2500.
The Salvation Army exists to meet the needs of those in your community who fall through the cracks of government and other social service assistance programs.
The Salvation Army Service Extension Department in the Intermountain Division, which includes Chaffee County, provides rural emergency social service assistance throughout four states. These sites are called “Service Units.” Service Units are primarily operated by volunteers and often represent people who partner with the Army from local community organizations in an effort to help the community together. By utilizing volunteers, Salvation Army is able to ensure that more funding goes into direct service to clients.
Volunteers are Salvation Army’s most precious and valuable assets; you cannot put a cost on the hours of work they perform. Their dedication and hard work is because they want to do their part in helping their community be a better place to live.