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Salvation Army beginning annual red kettle campaign

Maj. Mike Morton of the Brooke and Weirton Salvation Army is seen with one of the many kettles used to collect donations to help local residents in need. Salvation Army bell ringers can be found at many Brooke and Hancock county locations this weekend as the nonprofit organization begins its regular Christmas campaign, which allows it to help people throughout the year. — Warren Scott

Area shoppers will hear the familiar sound of bells ringing at many local stores as volunteers with the Brooke and Weirton Salvation Army seek donations to aid a growing number of local residents in need.

Officials with the nonprofit organization said about 150 families in Brooke County and 380 families in Weirton will receive food through its Thanksgiving distribution and at least as many will receive food and gifts at Christmas.

But the Salvation Army’s work isn’t limited to aiding residents in need during the holiday season.

“At Christmas everybody is aware of the Salvation Army. Our bell ringers are the ambassadors of Christmas. But our mission doesn’t stop at Christmas,” said Maj. Mike Morton who, with his wife Nettie, leads the Salvation Army’s operations in Weirton and Wellsburg.

“Our mission is 24/7 365 days of the year. We are there to make a difference,” said Morton, who noted the organization provides food, clothing and utility assistance to Brooke and Hancock county residents in need throughout the year.

The scope of the international organization was underscored this summer when both Mortons were dispatched, along with hundreds of other Salvation Army personnel and volunteers, to aid hurricane victims in Texas.

Morton said area residents can help the Salvation Army achieve its mission in a variety of ways, including serving as bell ringers.

He said it’s a way of experiencing the spirit of giving that is at the heart of Christmas and costs participants nothing but a couple of hours of their time.

Bell ringers are needed to staff kettles at various locations in Weirton and Brooke County for two hour intervals between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. through Dec. 23. Individuals and groups who raise the most money will be recognized at volunteer appreciation dinners in Weirton and Wellsburg next spring.

For information, call (304) 737-0071 or (304) 748-4310.

Another way to assist the Salvation Army is by helping to grant the Christmas wishes of local children in need.

This year the organization has traded the paper angels on which wishes were printed for the familiar Salvation Army shield, with many businesses displaying them in windows and other prominent places.

In Brooke County they may be found at the Brooke County Public Library; Bethany College’s Old Main Hall; Chambers Store; Dollar General Market; First National Bank’s Follansbee and Wellsburg branches; Hood’s Pharmacy; Main Street Bank; Mark’s Carryout at Wellsburg’s north end; Wellsburg Moose Lodge; Progressive Bank; Traubert’s Pharmacy and WesBanco’s Follansbee and Wellsburg branches.

In Hancock County they can be found at Citizens RX; the Weirton Dollar General Store; First Choice America Community Federal Credit Union; all Hancock County Savings Bank locations; Huntington Bank; Mountaineer Racetrack, Casino and Resort; the New Cumberland Veterans of Foreign Wars Post; Summit Physical Therapy; Ted’s Plaza Pharmacy; Tudor’s Buscuit World; United Bank; Wal-Mart; WesBanco; and the Weirton Area Chamber of Commerce.

Many churches, school groups and nonpublic workplaces have agreed to help with the wishes.

Items for the wishes should be turned in to the Weirton or Wellsburg Salvation Army locations by Dec. 11.

Morton added volunteers aren’t needed only during the holiday season.

For example, the Brooke County Salvation Army Service Center could use volunteers to sort clothing and other items donated for its thrift store.

Open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Saturday, the store offers a variety of used clothing and household goods, including many children’s items, at low prices for everyone. Those aided by the Salvation Army receive vouchers to shop in the store at no cost.

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