Letter to the Editor: Local Salvation Army Update

Dear Editor,

Happy New Year to all in Lamar and in Prowers County! As a part of the Lamar Colorado Ministerial Alliance (LCMA), I wanted to take a moment and update people on the giving that took place throughout the Christmas season in the Salvation Army red kettles. As you may know, this is the LCMA’s once a year fundraiser. Ninety percent of the money raised in the kettles is used to help people in our community who find themselves in a financial crisis.

It is used to help people who find themselves behind in their rent or with their utilities because of unforeseen circumstances. It helps keep people off the streets at night when they have no other place to turn. It gets people to much-needed medical appointments when they cannot afford the gas to get there, as well as other urgent needs that come to light.

For 2018, the Salvation Army red kettles and their volunteer bell ringers raised $20,842. Due to various circumstances, the kettles were only able to raise about $12,000 for 2019. That still sounds a lot of money but over the whole year, it cuts our ability to help those in need in our community by over 40%. In 2018, with the money we raised in the Salvation Army red kettles, we helped 108 family units with 298 individuals in them. Out of those numbers, 124 children were given hope of not having to relocate or abandon home due to financial reasons.  We stretched that $20,842 as far as we could. This year is going to be even more of a challenge. Might you consider a gift towards the Lamar Colorado Ministerial Alliance?

We are a fully recognized 501(c)3 non-profit organization. We do screen those who come for help and do our best to help them not only in financial assistance but also to help them with planning and decision making so that avoid such circumstances in the future. Even though we are a religious organization, we help all those we can who are in true need. We do keep individual information confidential as well. If you would like to make a donation, please forward it to:

The Caring Center
Attn: Greg Ausmus
1001 South Main Street
Lamar, CO 81052.

Any amount is helpful. Thanks in advance.
Sincerely,
Darren Stroh
President-Lamar Colorado Ministerial Alliance