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Salvation Army goes high tech for this year’s drive

Date: 10/18/2011

Oct. 19, 2011

By Lori Szepelak

Correspondent

SPRINGFIELD — Giving to the Salvation Army’s holiday kettle drive is now easier than ever, thanks to a black QR code, which will be placed strategically on all kettle signage.

“We’re excited to be able to offer area residents a new way to give,” Maj. Thomas Perks, commanding officer, Salvation Army, said during an interview with Reminder Publications at the Pearl Street headquarters.

Perks and his wife, Maj. Linda Jo Perks, M.A., are celebrating two milestones this fall. They will be married 25 years in December and they have served the Salvation Army organization across the state for 25 years.

The couple, whose enthusiasm for giving to others can be infectious, spoke candidly about their roles over the years and how the Salvation Army is as relevant today as it was when it started in 1865.

Utmost on their minds as the holiday season nears is to recruit enough volunteers to ring the bells for the 17 kettles placed across the Greater Springfield area, which starts Nov. 14. Several businesses including Stop & Shop, Geissler’s, Wal-Mart and the Eastfield Mall have agreed to let the red kettles be part of their landscape through 4 p.m. on Dec. 24.

In addition, area residents will be able to make donations at all Springfield Armor basketball home games, as well as at Hampden Bank locations. Laurie Greenfield is serving as this year’s kettle coordinator.

As the Salvation Army stays current with new technology, a QR code sticker has been designed that can be scanned by cell phones with cameras that will direct people to a secure website that will accept donations. The donations will be traceable by zip code, ensuring that the money stays in the local community. The stickers will be placed on all kettle signs.

The Perks noted that since the Salvation Army serves approximately 30,000 families every year in Greater Springfield, the needs of those struggling remains a constant battle. With an annual budget of close to $1 million, the couple “squeeze and twist the money to make it stretch,” Thomas Perks said.

Currently, the Salvation Army offers a wide range of programs including emergency services, the Good Neighbor Energy Fund, tutoring and literacy programs, Coats for Kids, Toys for Joy, and an array of social services that range from providing food, clothing and shelter to the homeless, to outreach to the elderly and ill, and opportunities for underprivileged children.

During the June 1 tornadoes that ripped through the region, the Perks were on the road within two hours with five canteen trucks offering supplies and assistance where they could.

“When I looked at the devastation I wondered, where do you start?” Thomas Perks said. “God never lets us down and people stepped up immediately and asked how they could help.” He also credited the “tremendous efforts” of officials on the local, state and national levels who moved quickly to stabilize the region.

“You could see the concern and determination of our leaders every day,” he said.

Linda Jo Perks added that as much as the scene was heartbreaking, her first thoughts were to get food to those who are diabetic in particular, and provide meals to those in need and to first responders. They served 14,000 meals in two weeks, thanks to the generosity of the local communities.

For Thomas Perks, his day-to-day role involves the overall administration of the Salvation Army, while his wife likes to work as a volunteer “behind the scenes.” As an educator, she relishes her time with children and parents particularly in the library — expanding their reading, writing and musical abilities.

“One of my fondest memories in Springfield has been helping a girl to read for the first time,” she said.

The couple have three children of their own, Katie, Brian, and Lindsay, all on their own but never far from reaching out to others in their respective communities.

“Our children have served as volunteers in a variety of capacities over the years, including as teachers, tutors and musicians,” she added.

Thomas Perks said they have involved their children in all aspects of the ministry.

“They are keenly aware of the needs of a community and what they can do to help,” he said.

As the couple looked back — and toward the future — they both agree the years have flown by and they wouldn’t have changed anything about their journey.

“God gave us a purpose and an opportunity to serve and we live that mission every day,” Thomas Perks said.

They both shook their head in agreement when he added, “You treasure the moments of every day. I couldn’t imagine doing anything else.”

In addition to volunteers needed for the kettle drive, the Coats for Kids campaign is underway with a goal of collecting thousands of new or gently used winter coats by Oct. 31. The day for pre-registered families to select their coats will be Nov. 12 at the Pearl Street location. The need is great for infant and toddler coats, as well as coats for older children and young adults in larger sizes.

Belmont Laundry, with several locations throughout Greater Springfield, has pledged to clean every donated coat before it is distributed to a child in need. Drop-spot locations include Belmont Laundry, Berkshire Bank locations, WMAS studios, and abc40/FOX 6 studios. For a complete list of locations, visit www.salvationarmycoatsforkids.com.

For more information on volunteering to ring the kettle bells, contact Greenfield at 733-1518, ext. 112.

For general information about programs and services, call 733-1518 or visit www.salvationarmyma.org/springfield. The local Salvation Army is also on Facebook at www.facebook.com/salvationarmyspringfieldma.

The Salvation Army, an evangelical part of the universal Christian church, supports nearly 29 million Americans each year. About 83 cents of every dollar raised is used to support those services in 5,000 communities nationwide.



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