Salvation Army, Toys for Tots exceed holiday goals

The Salvation Army’s Hawaii division announced on New Year’s Eve that its more than 100 red kettle sites around the state collected more than $882,000 statewide, 12.5 percent more than last year and 26 percent over its $700,000 goal.  The campaign began in mid-November and ending on Christmas Eve.

Donations have gone to assist needy families during the holidays and also will be used throughout the year to provide such services as soup kitchens, shelter, clothing distribution and treatment services. The Salvation Army has seen an increase in demand for its services, with more Hawaii families seeking assistance.

“We are very pleased and pleasantly surprised that the people of Hawaii have responded so positively to our appeal for support, especially during these difficult times,” Salvation Army Maj. Edward Hill said. “We are heartened by the generous donors who have shown their trust and confidence in believing that The Salvation Army will continue to deliver the necessary services needed to help the increasing number of people most affected by the economic crisis.”

Tens of thousands of Hawaii's needy children each got a toy this Christmas thanks to a last-minute surge in donations to the Toys for Tots program. More than 20,000 destitute children registered for a Christmas gift through the program, said Chuck Little, spokesman for the Marine Corps Forces Pacific.

Before Christmas, the program announced it was running 15,000 toys short of its goal of 45,000. After the call for help, about 8,000 toy donations poured in, plus a $7,500 donation from First Hawaiian Bank for more toys, Little said. By 7:30 p.m. yesterday, officials had 41,000 toys and expected to reach their goal after all the toys were counted.

The Marine Corps organizes Toys for Tots every year to give a new toy to less fortunate children as a message of hope for a better future. The program collects extra toys to ensure no child is empty-handed since some toys may not match a child's gender or age. Little said officials also try to give children more than one toy.

The Salvation Army also discovered gold on Kauai during December. An anonymous donor dropped a 1-ounce 1979 Kruger rand gold coin valued at $1,200 in the red kettle at the Big Save store in Koloa as the bell-ringing campaign was drawing to a close. Lt. Sarah Smuda, corps officer at the Hanapepe-Koloa Salvation Army, said she found the coin while counting donations and was thrilled.

Maj. Edward Hill, divisional commander of the Salvation Army, said, "This is the crowning jewel on what has been an amazing red kettle campaign this year. Despite the hurting economy, the people of Hawaii have responded and have been generous.”