Dear Editor:
The Northampton County Salvation Army and the Department of Social Services greatly appreciates the many, many gifts that our community provided to families in Northampton County.
This year Salvation Army volunteers rang bells at the Food Lions in Exmore and Cape Charles, and the CBBT Welcome Center. We thank the many volunteers who donated two hours or more to stand by one of our red kettles. Kettle donations and donations sent to our address (P.O. Box 1274, Exmore, VA 23350) remain with the chapter and are important in providing needed assistance to our community. We have also established a website to accept donations https://www.salvationarmyeasternshoreva.org/
The money raised during the holiday season enables us to provide joy not only at Christmas but 365 days a year. Because of your support, we will continue to provide services and funds to individuals who have experienced an emergency. We receive referrals from community organizations including social services and Northampton Social Ministries to support individuals and families recovering from fires, illness, homelessness, disasters, and other issues.
We just completed the annual Angel Tree and toy closet program. Done in cooperation with the Northampton County Department of Social Services, the program provided gifts to children from birth to 12 years of age. This year, more than 274 children received Angel Tree gifts and toys. The angels were adopted by churches, including Johnson’s United Methodist Church, Saint Charles Catholic Church, and Franktown UMC. Also, many banks, the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel, and Edward Jones participated. Residents purchased clothing or provided funds to purchase a $50 gift card from Walmart that could only be used for children’s clothing.
Northampton County Department of Social Services, coordinated the Angel Tree program.
Shannon DeCarlo, an employee of the Northampton County Department of Social Services, coordinated the Angel Tree program. In addition to Angel Tree gifts, each child received a stocking filled with age-appropriate items. The Democratic Committee of Northampton County organized a community effort to fill stockings for the 274 children. Located behind the stockings are bags of age-appropriate toys selected by the local Salvation Army volunteers and by the Tidewater Salvation Army and Marines in Tidewater. We especially thank the following for their support: Northampton County Social Services and Sheriff’s Department, local media, CBBT staff, Walmart, Bless our Children, Edward Jones, community churches and the Virginia Housing Development Authority.
These programs are made possible by the generosity of our community and the volunteers who help make this happen. Thank you.
If you would like to participate in the Northampton County Salvation Army Chapter contact Richard Sterrett at P.O. Box 85 Craddockville, VA 23341, or by calling 757-442-4606.
On behalf of our families, THANK YOU, Eastern Shore, and may God bless you in this new year!
Richard Sterrett Chair, Northampton Salvation Army Unit
