Merced Salvation Army’s Helping Hands raises $52,000

The “A Helping Hand at Christmas” program has received $52,275 in donations this year, inching close to the $55,000 goal established last month.

Elaine Gale, coordinator of the program co-sponsored by the Merced Salvation Army and the Merced Sun-Star, said the 2014 Helping Hand program went really great.

“I want to thank the community for their generous contributions,” Gale said. “People have been so faithful over the years. We were able to help about 70 families in need.”

Barbara Wainwright, whose late husband John founded Helping Hand 28 years ago, said typically one to three more donations come in by Jan. 5-6. Since the program began, more than $1.2 million has been contributed by area residents to help those less fortunate in this area.

Lt. Kimberly Boyd, Salvation Army co-commander here, said she is really excited about the success of the Christmas giving program.

“It’s great to see the community support a program to meet the needs of the community at Christmas,” Boyd said.

Valerie Bender, Sun-Star publisher, also lauded community residents for responding to the holiday giving appeal.

“The Merced Sun-Star is tremendously appreciative of the community’s support toward coming so close to this year’s Salvation Army Helping Hand goal,” Bender said. “Even as we continue to suffer economic losses, our community continues to reach out and touch the hearts of others by giving of themselves. A big thank you goes out to the Salvation Army for taking the lead in this effort and for continuing to make it successful year after year.”

This story was originally published January 1, 2015 at 5:27 PM with the headline "Merced Salvation Army’s Helping Hands raises $52,000."