Salvation Army to raise money for youth programs

Capt. Kara Martin emphasized that all donations will stay local.

The Mon Valley Salvation Army will host an open fundraiser to support its youth programs and is asking everyone in surrounding communities for their help.

Salvation Army Capt. Kara Martin said the fundraising goal is $7,500 and emphasized that donations are tax deductible. Martin added that two anonymous donors will match the funds they raise.

“If someone is looking for somewhere where their money stays 100% local, and it 100% goes back into the community, this would be a great investment for them,” Martin said. “These kids are our future. If we don’t feed them now, with everything good that they need to learn from, and we don’t support them, they’re going to grow up unsupported.”

Money raised will go toward summer youth programs, including snacks, art supplies, outdoor trips, vehicle upkeep and two summer leader positions. Funds will also support the Salvation Army Recovery Engagement program.

According to Martin, the SARGE program helps those seeking recovery, who are in recovery, active addicts and recovering addicts. The objective is to meet once a week and to have conversations with one another, and help them meet certain goals.

“It’s a program where me and my case worker are working together to set goals for them and get them referrals and things like that,” Martin said. “This is just us meeting them where they’re at and getting them encouraged and kind of referred to where the places where they need to go, and just give them a space to go during the week, and just have some coffee, build relationships and stuff.”

Martin said donations can be directed toward specific items, such as their youth programs, snacks or other purposes. Donors who want to do that should indicate what the money is for on their check.

Donations can be dropped off at the Donora location on 800 Thompson Ave. from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays. They can also be mailed to that address.

If someone chooses to drop it off in person, they can put it in their mailbox or ring their doorbell to give it to someone.

Martin added that if anyone is interested in touring the Donora facility to learn more about what their donations support, an open house is planned for June 17.

“I’ll show them around and tell them our plans,” she said. “And even just kind of show them our needs and why we need these things. We’re a nonprofit. Number two, we’re trustworthy. Everything is on paper. We have a paper trail for everything that comes in and everything that goes out, and everything that does come in when you donate locally, it all stays locally.”

“These kids are our future. If we don’t feed them now, with everything good that they need to learn from, and we don’t support them, they’re going to grow up unsupported.”

CAPT. KARA MARTIN

MON VALLEY SALVATION ARMY