Salvation Army unit seeks Maricopa volunteers (video)

They are not just bell-ringers.

The Salvation Army’s service extension unit in Maricopa is most evident during the holidays when volunteers with trademark red kettles are outside major shopping venues. The money raised during that campaign stays in Maricopa to fund projects that help residents.

Right now, SA officials are striving to make the community more aware of their presence and their programs. A service extension unit (SEU) is a branch of the Salvation Army in communities with no resident Salvation Army. Their calling is to help residents in crisis find resources and temporary assistance.

“We try to help in any way we can,” said Major Mark Davey, director of the SEU. “And they’re really looking for people to help, especially at Christmas.”

The Salvation Army offers emergency help for residents who can’t pay their overdue utility bills. Locally, that involves Electrical District No. 3 and Global Water. They also provide clothing.

The SA also uses funds raised to sponsor underprivileged children at a summer camp in Heber.

“We feel like we’re compelled to do it by the dictates of Christ to reach to anybody,” Davey said.

In October and early November, the SEU musters in volunteers for its holiday programs. Among those is the Angel Program. Families can apply to have their children’s names included on the angel tree.

Donations of money and toys provide Christmas gifts for area families.

“We do need funding, but mostly in order to get that funding we have to have volunteers who would step up and bell ring for us during Christmas,” said Jeannette Aird, the service extension regional coordinator for Southern Arizona. “That would be our highest need.”

Last year, SEU volunteers gave Christmas gifts to more than 200 families. So, the SEU not only needs volunteers and donations, but they also need space for gift wrapping.

Maricopa Community Church (MCC) has accommodated the organization with space for Christmas packaging, but volunteers need a bigger area for the piles of toys and other gifts the generosity of Maricopa brings to the door.

The SEU also interviews clients by appointment at MCC to determine need and find resources. This is the quieter, lesser known aspect of the Salvation Army.

[email protected]
SalvationArmySouthwest.org
520-705-6509

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This story appears in the October issue of InMariocpa.