Christmas fundraiser for Merced families nears $55,000 goal

Merced area donors have contributed $49,405 toward the Salvation Army’s “A Helping Hand at Christmas” drive, nearing the $55,000 fundraising goal established last month.

Elaine Gale, Helping Hand coordinator with the Salvation Army, said that donations typically come in through the end of the month. The holiday relief program, now in its 28th year, is co-sponsored by the Merced Sun-Star.

Gale said she has interviewed 70 families needing assistance this year and the needs are great.

Some people are still looking for jobs and have exhausted their unemployment benefits. Others, including senior citizens, are living on fixed incomes and have high medical or utility bills with not much left for food and other necessities.

A woman living in her car suffers from physical ailments and hasn’t been accepted for Supplemental Security Income insurance benefits.

Gale said the Helping Hand program was able to help her renew her vehicle registration and pay six months worth of auto insurance. She also received some warm clothing from the Salvation Army.

Another woman whose brother and son died recently needed help with utility bills, Gale said.

As part of its holiday relief program, the Salvation Army also gave out 300 food boxes Tuesday at its West 12th Street headquarters to families that had previously signed up for them.

The food baskets varied in size and had bread, chicken, onions, carrots, apples, oranges, potatoes, corn, celery and green beans.

Lt. Kimberly Boyd, the Salvation Army’s corps officer here along with husband Joel, lauded the Helping Hand program and the community for all its support.

Lt. Joel Boyd said the Merced community typically is generous with Helping Hand contributions.

“It’s been great seeing people’s needs are being met that maybe can’t be met elsewhere,” Joel Boyd said. “We will continue to serve, but the funds go quickly.”

Gale said contributors can still donate to Helping Hand through the end of the month. Last year, area residents contributed $51,000 toward a $55,000 goal.

The late John Wainwright proposed the Helping Hand program to Sun-Star management nearly three decades ago after observing the success of a similar program in Monterey. In the intervening period, more than $1.2 million has been given to the Helping Hand program, administered by the Salvation Army.

Donations may be made payable to “A Helping Hand at Christmas,” 23 W. Alexander Ave., PMB 68, Merced 95348. Donors can have an appropriate message of 10 words or less printed in the Sun-Star or they can remain anonymous.

This story was originally published December 23, 2014 at 6:24 PM with the headline "Christmas fundraiser for Merced families nears $55,000 goal."