Salvation Army in need of donations, volunteers - 13 WTHR Indianapolis

With the economy struggling to recover, many Indiana charities are having trouble meeting the growing need this year.

The Salvation Army depends on their Tree of Lights campaign for nearly half of their funding for the entire year. The charity is concerned they might fall short for a second year.

Salvation Army Bell ringers Leilan McNally and Caleb Stokes are pulling out all the stops to hear the sound of donations drop into the red kettle.

"To kind of remind people that there are people out there who do need help. I think that a lot of times that it goes by that if it's not drawn to your attention you forget about it," said Stokes.

In this less than ideal economy, more and more people pass on by, and bell ringers seem to be at a premium. All around the city, kettles are left unmanned and donations are not being collected. With a week left until Christmas, the Salvation has only hit 40 percent of their $3.2 million goal

"We're about six percent behind where we were this point last year so were getting a little nervous," said Jeff Stanger, Salvation Army.

When you drop some change in the kettle, it doesn't just stay there. It may end up at the women and children's shelter where a quarter will go a surprisingly long way.

"It means that someone has a meal here tonight, whether it's a peanut butter and jelly or a hot meal, it's a blanket, it's a bottle of shampoo, it's a diaper for a child. It's making sure that our electricity is on and our doors are open," said Dena Simpson, Salvation Army Social Service Center.

For Dorothy Taylor it means she has the chance to see another day.

"It's given me a lot of hope. I mean, a lot of hope," she said.

Circumstances left the former nursing assistant homeless but here she has found more than emergency shelter. She is learning how to live again.

"They've given me strength to lean on when I can't lean on myself. They really helped me with counseling that meets all of my needs to allow me to accomplish my goal," said Dorothy.

"The service and the need goes on every day and it's so critical that we hit this christmas goal," said Stanger.

Just a little change in the kettle can turn into a lifeline for someone in need.

The Salvation Army still needs bell ringers and it's not too late to help. If you want to volunteer you can call 224-1010. They also need donations.

Learn how you can help.