Colorado Springs Salvation Army and Marian House could use your help

Tuesday, the Salvation Army in Colorado Springs held its kickoff for the Red Kettle initiative, and many people are also donating turkeys to the Marian House.

The Salvation Army is in its 127th year of collecting donations with those iconic red kettles.

Captain Erin Kauffman with the Salvation Army said, “It just means people care, people care about changing lives. And to have an event like this where people, volunteers, donors, advisory board members, auxiliary members, where they come together because they want to change lives in the community. It’s a blessing.

Kauffman says they are looking to raise $500,000 this year.

“The money that’s put in the kettle, it does help with our Christmas programs, it helps us provide toys and food for families at Christmas time, but it also helps our shelter, our veterans program, and our license after school program. So the money helps us all the way around.”

Also happening Tuesday is the 5th annual Stuff the Bird event. The Marian House is hoping to gather more than 1,200 turkeys to give to families in need.

Rochelle Schlortt said, “This is one of those things that we can do to help give them a sense of normalcy. While they are working hard to achieve stability.”

We spoke to a couple of donors who have donated a turkey every single year, both of them said it’s the least that they can do.

Heik Haneffant said, “There are a lot of people that need it, so it’s just a good thing to do.”

Jack Johnson added, “There is a great need I think in this community. I think there is a great need for shelter for homeless people and there is an even greater need to feed them.”

Starting Friday, you’ll hear the bell outside of stores looking for donations, And the Marian House will be collecting turkeys through December.