Between the kettle drive and the Angel Trees, the Salvation Army is well on its way to reaching its goal for the holiday season, according to Captain Art Mills.

Thursday, December 16, 1999

Between the kettle drive and the Angel Trees, the Salvation Army is well on its way to reaching its goal for the holiday season, according to Captain Art Mills.

&uot;With the toys, things have been just great,&uot; Mills said.

The Salvation Army placed Angel trees at Wal-Mart, outside of ShopKo at the Northbridge Mall, St. Theodore Catholic Church and the Rock. Residents of Freeborn County have been purchasing toys and other gifts for children in the community. Mills said they started with about 1,000 tags.

&uot;We’re about three-quarters through those tags,&uot; Mills said.

The toys can be brought to the Salvation Army office. Toys are also being dropped off at the trees. And Mills added that citizens don’t need to have one of those tags to buy toys. The Salvation Army will be happy to take any donations of new, unwrapped toys.

Additionally, the Salvation Army serves as a drop-off site for Toys for Tots, which also helps children in Freeborn County.

Residents have also been generous at the kettles, he said. The goal this year is $105,000.

&uot;I believe that we will reach that goal. I have faith in the community,&uot; Mills said.

In their first year in Albert Lea, Mills and his wife Captain Melody Mills said they’ve been impressed with the kindness and generosity of the residents of Freeborn County.

Currently, the Salvation Army is past the half-way mark. They’ve raised $61,178. That’s 58 percent of the goal.

&uot;We will be out there as long as we get volunteers,&uot; Mills said. Volunteers are still needed for some of the shifts. There are four locations for the kettles: Wal-Mart, ShopKo, Hy-Vee and Rainbow.

The money raised through the kettle drive funds programs throughout the year.

The Salvation Army is also taking applications for their Christmas assistance program. They’ll provide food vouchers and toys needed to make the holiday season special for area families.

Applications will be taken Wednesday from 5-8 p.m. and Thursday from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. at the Salvation Army office. Packages can be picked up at the Skyline Mall Dec. 22.