Alliance of Churches will welcome donations during holiday season

The Union County Alliance of Churches is making plans for a special holiday season fund-raising project.

The alliance of churches shared a news release to announce its plans:

The residents in and around Union County are some of the most generous in the area.

Each year, volunteers stand, often times in inclement weather, at the entrance of Kroger and Walmart stores in Anna, ringing a bell to draw attention to the red kettles of the Salvation Army donation stations.

In the past those donations have mostly been used to assist the needs of people by providing assistance for utilities, rent, food, temporary housing and other emergency needs.

However, this past year the Salvation Army has decided to distribute those funds through an agency that is not in Union County and has been very slow in providing the funds needed to reimburse the area agencies that provided emergency assistance and utility aid.

After much prayer, discussion and attempts to have the Salvation Army provide an adequate explanation for the change in funding practices, the Union County Alliance of Churches will not be ringing bells for Salvation Army collections at Kroger and Walmart.

However, the Union County Alliance of Churches still has need for funds to help those in need and is seeking the help of the community.

Collection booths and containers will be set up at both Kroger and Walmart, manned by volunteers from area churches and civic organizations.

These stations will begin receiving donations every Friday and Saturday, Nov. 25 through Dec. 23.

On Nov. 25-26, the hours to work will be from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

The hours for the remaining weekends in December will be from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Fridays and from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturdays.

Unlike funds received for the Salvation Army, 100 percent of funds donated will remain in this area, providing much needed help.

Therefore, when you see the Union County Alliance of Churches sign at the donation booth, please remember your previous generosity and give what you can.

If your church or civic organization or club would like to help this Christmas season, please call First Christian Church in Anna at 833-6834 to reserve a date. Thank you to all who help and to all who generously give.