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An urgent plea from the Salvation Army of Madison County.

The nonprofit needs more volunteers for its Red Kettle Campaign and Angel Tree programs.

"Covid kind of zapped our volunteer base, and we are still trying to build it back up," Major Jayne May said.

According to May, people like you are the driving force behind what the nonprofit can do.

"Knowing that you are helping a child receive Christmas. Knowing that you are helping a family get Christmas dinner," May said. "Knowing that you are helping someone know that Jesus is alive and real and has heard your prayers tonight, that night. You know that's just the way you do it in the community that we live."

She said bell ringers are needed at 12 locations across Â鶹´«Ã½. 

"The more volunteers we have, the less people we have to pay and that means more money can go to direct service," May said.

Those services not only include the Angel Tree Program, but also community meals, help with rent and utilities as well as programs for veterans.

May said all of those are funded through the Red Kettle Campaign.

"We can make that money stretch into spring," May said. "We can be helping your neighbor. The dollar you put in today could be somebody's light bill tomorrow. It really helps us to stretch and provide for the community year round."

That's something May said is important as Â鶹´«Ã½'s population grows.

"With faster growth, one of the side effects is that we do have a rise in homelessness in our community, which I'm sure everybody knows and we are trying to work to combat that," May said.

But volunteering isn't the only way you can help out.

"If you're one of those who just doesn't want to be out and about around people, I get that. Sometimes just writing a check," May said. "People say, 'Oh, you can do so much more.' Writing a check is a big deal and we appreciate that." 

Click for volunteer opportunities in Â鶹´«Ã½.