SALVATION ARMY DRIVE IN NEED OF DONATIONS

With just two days left until Christmas, Salvation Army kettles are slowly filling up.

But donations aren't pouring in fast enough for Maj. Robert Gauthier local Salvation Army commander.

Gauthier said, "I'd have a greater peace of heart if the dollars were there to operate on and we wouldn't have to be concerned about taking care of people's needs."

The Salvation Army's Tree of Lights campaign has raised $135,000 of its goal so far. But more donations are necessary to help needy families in Southeast Missouri and parts of Southern Illinois.

About $1,500 was collected Monday, which is about half of the amount collected in previous days.

The wet, cold weather that created slick streets and icy walkways Monday could blamed for the low amount, Gauthier said. But other factors like unseasonably warm temperatures earlier in the month also affected kettle collections.

Although the fund-raising campaign has raised more than half of its $200,000 goal, Gauthier would like to be nearer the $150,000 or $160,000 mark by Christmas.

Donations to the Tree of Lights campaign make up about one-third of the Salvation Army's annual budget. The campaigns helps provide Christmas baskets to needy families and toys to children, clothing and rent assistance. It also funds programs at the Salvation Army center at 701 Good Hope throughout the year.

The number of people seeking help is on the rise. Already there have been 1,000 more requests for aid than were received last year, Gauthier said.

"We have seen a significant increase," he said.

Some area churches help with monetary gifts so that the Salvation Army can handle requests from people who need clothing or food after a house or apartment fire or who are stranded while traveling. "They know someone is there taking care of them," Gauthier said.

On Tuesday, Gauthier and other volunteers were filling Christmas baskets for needy families. Distribution will begin today at 8 a.m.

The 1,200 baskets include canned vegetables, a turkey, egg noodles, instant potatoes, stuffing mix, apples, and a gift certificate to an area grocery store good for dairy products or other necessities.

Gauthier said the families should be able to make two or three meals from the food. The baskets also include tomato sauce, chili beans and a pound of ground beef.

The beef isn't usually included in the baskets, but a rancher donated two head of cattle, so the ground beef will be given away until it is gone, Gauthier said.

For information about the food baskets, call the Salvation Army at 335-7000. Donations to the Tree of Lights campaign can be mailed to P.O. Box 802, Cape Girardeau, Mo. 63701.