It’s been three decades since the Odessa Salvation Army partnered with the Odessa American to meet the Christmas needs of struggling Odessans.
This year the Empty Stocking is getting a makeover with a generous challenge from the Sewell Family of Companies to match the first $50,000 donated dollar for dollar.
Not only that, but Sewell employees are also pitching in monetarily and with volunteer time for the Salvation Army this holiday season including Kettle Bell ringing and help with shopping, sorting and distributing gifts. They are asking other Odessans to do the same.
“Our team at Sewell believes no child in West Texas should go without the essentials and the joy of Christmas,” Andrew Marshall, vice president of operations at Sewell, said. “The Salvation Army’s Angel Tree and Empty Stocking fundraisers ensure that our community’s most vulnerable, from Midland and Odessa to Andrews, can experience the warmth and care we all deserve. By pledging our donations as a matching grant, Team Sewell is inviting the entire community to join us in making this season brighter for those who need it most.”
The Sewell team’s help this holiday season comes at an important time. The Salvation Army offices in Odessa and Midland merged this year and both cities have more than 1,000 Angel Tree needs. For the first year the Salvation Army will also venture into Andrews and offer an Angel Tree for residents there.
Funds raised in each city will stay in that city. Last year more than 300 Odessa families with 1,350 children were served.
The Fund was envisioned 30 years ago by Odessa American staff as a backup to the Salvation Army’s traditional Angel Tree program, which allows families to detail on angel ornaments what each child wanted/needed for Christmas. The angels are picked up by others and gifts are purchased. The Empty Stocking Fund backs up the Angel Tree program by providing gifts for any angel not picked. A holiday meal basket is also part of the gift to needy families each year.
This will be the 30th year of the Empty Stocking Fund with a $150,000 goal to meet the needs in our community. The Fund helps families who are struggling to make ends meet. Many are single moms and grandparents trying to raise family in tough economic times. Funds donated to the Empty Stocking stay in Ector County and help local families. Funds are used to purchase gifts for children and food baskets for a Christmas meal. Needy seniors also receive a gift and any leftover funds are used to meet the needs of Odessa’s most vulnerable throughout the year.
The Empty Stocking Fund was created by the Odessa American in 1995 and has now raised more than $4.1 million. All funds stay in Ector County and all recipients are vetted by the Salvation Army. This year’s fund kicks off on Thanksgiving Day.
The Sewell Family of Companies has come to the aid of the Empty Stocking Fund for many years and last year helped, along with others, the fund reaching a record $187,310. The next closest year to raising that amount was in 2014 when the fund ended with $164,000.68.
ANDREWS
Thanks to this partnership with the Sewell Family of Companies the Salvation Army will bring its Angel Tree program to Andrews this holiday season.
Sign-ups will be at Sewell Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram Dealership at 1320 U.S. 385 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday. If you wish to sign your kids up for Christmas gifts, please bring ID, any proof of income, birth certificates, utility bill or proof of address if different from ID. Children ages up to 15 are eligible. Families will also receive a Christmas food box or grocery store gift card for holiday meal fixings.
“We are pleased to expand our Angel Tree program and help even more families to have a Christmas to remember. We thank Sewell for reaching out and sponsoring this program in Andrews and we hope to grow the program even more in the upcoming year,” Salvation Army Capt. Robert Coriston said.
Need more information on the Empty Stocking Fund or the Angel Tree signups? Call Odessa’s Salvation Army at 432-332-0738.
OTHER WAYS TO HELP
Ring the bell: The Salvation Army needs volunteer bellringers this Christmas season. Groups can sign up now to ring bells at a number of locations in Ector County. One afternoon of bell-ringing during the Christmas Kettle Campaign can raise enough money to shelter a homeless person for four nights and provide 12 hot meals.
Visit registertoring.com to sign up to ring.
Call 432-332-0738
