Nose for News by Sarah Stultz

 

It seems like I just blinked my eyes and it went from Halloween to Thanksgiving all in one quick swoop.

I don’t know about you, but I’m excited to be with family on Thursday and focus on all the things — and especially people — I’m grateful for in my life. It’s a nice reminder that we should focus on what’s important all year long — not only on the holiday.

At this time of year, when Thanksgiving comes around, and we gear up for the Christmas holiday, I am also reminded even more of all the needs in our community and the people who are struggling to make ends meet.

For most of the time I have lived in Albert Lea, I have served as a volunteer on the Albert Lea Salvation Army Advisory Board. The organization does a lot at this time of year to spread the cheer of the season and to raise money for services it provides all year long.

The holiday events gear up this week with the community Thanksgiving dinner, which will be at the Fairlane Building at the Freeborn County Fairgrounds Wednesday evening. This event is open to all who would like to attend, and a traditional Thanksgiving meal will be served — much of which was donated by various businesses.

This is also the time of year when community members in need have been able to sign up for help with food and Christmas gifts for their children. It is always an eye-opening experience for me to be a part of each year, and it is my hope to bring a little joy to these families.

Between now and mid-December, the Salvation Army will collect toys through various Angel Trees to give to families who sign up for assistance, and then before Christmas, the families will receive their items on a distribution day.

In addition to donating toys, there are many other ways to get involved.

The Salvation Army is always looking for volunteers, whether for these holiday efforts or in other duties with the food shelf and daily community meal.

The month of December is also the Salvation Army’s main bell-ringing season, which is its main fundraising campaign. Consider signing up to ring the bell at one of the locations in the community and encouraging others to do the same.

You can sign up online at salvationarmynorth.org/community/albert-lea/ and there is a link to the bell-ringing page. Otherwise, you can call 373-5710.

Bell-ringing is fun to do with a friend, a child, a co-worker or another associate.

If you would like to be a part of the good things this organization does at this time of year and always, I encourage you to get involved. Opportunities abound. This organization is one of many seeking to make a difference in the lives of the people in our community.

Sarah Stultz is the Tribune managing editor. Her column appears every Tuesday.