Traditionally, it is Thanksgiving which ushers in the annual Holiday Season of five weeks or more, including Christmas Day as the main attraction.

Downtown Washington gets a two-day head start each year with its own tradition, which is the festive Candlelight Shopping event on the Tuesday night just before Thanksgiving. And right in the midst of the kickoff will be the familiar sight and sound of the Salvation Army's Christmas kettle and bells, ringing in some extra joy, compassion, and help in many forms for needy neighbors right here at home.

"Right now our greatest need is for volunteer ringers to fill our schedule," reported Dot Harris, Salvation Army (SA) treasurer. "Then of course we desperately need people to respond generously with their gifts. Last year we collected a wonderful total of about $8,000 with net local funding at $6400. But increased costs and additional requests this year will require considerably more than that just to keep up."

Harris explained that in order to help increase collections an extra day of ringing has been added this year. Besides the Candlelight Shopping night on The Square November 21, from 6 to 9 p.m., the SA unit's single kettle will alternate between Ingles and Bi-Lo every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday in December, plus two Thursdays (December 14 and 21). Hours are 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. except Sundays are from 2 to 5 p.m.

"That means we will need more ringers than last year," Harris added. "If we had enough volunteers we could add another kettle, but right now we just want to fill our schedule with one kettle."

Civic clubs and other organizations are asked to supply ringers. Individual volunteers may call Dot Harris at 706/678-2818. Lynn Land is assisting in making phone calls and filling the scheduled hours of ringing.

The Christmas kettles are the major fund-raising effort of the year for the Wilkes County SA unit, with Rev. Albert W. Huyck Jr. as commander. Normally, the local SA unit is required to send 40 percent of collections to the state headquarters in Norcross, but the Christmas kettle collection allows the local unit to retain 80 percent, all of which is disbursed in Wilkes County.

Last year, the Salvation Army provided help in a total of 103 cases of special needs, 37 of which involved families where the usual breadwinner was out of work, worked a reduced schedule, or had only a parttime job.

Single mothers and disabled persons frequently call for help, Harris said. They may be unable to earn income themselves, and there is no other responsible adult in the home. Child support is often paid late or not at all. For disabled persons, it may take literally years to establish eligibility through Social Security or other sources. There were 14 disability cases receiving SA aid in 2005.

A frequent cause of calls for help is past-due utility bills, when service may be discontinued if the bill is not paid by a stated date. Other cases involved elderly persons eking out an existence on a small fixed income, with no way to stretch or supplement it; unexpected medical expenses; and emergency situations of all kinds when survival depends on compassionate help.

Through it all, every effort is made to get the most benefit from funds available. "We never give anyone cash," Harris explained, "and except in special cases we don't provide the

full amount of what is needed. We expect the applicant to do all he can and then we will help make up the difference."

About 10 percent of SA aid is provided to transients, through an agreement with the Washington Police Department. The police may arrange for one night's lodging, a meal, gasoline, or a bus ticket, for example, and send the bill to the Salvation Army.

"I want to thank the people of Wilkes County for their faithful and generous support over many years," Rev. Huyck said. "I can assure donors that every dollar we receive is carefully handled and, as far as we can determine, wisely spent to benefit deserving people. The Salvation Army is one of the best agencies available for helping others. This Christmas, please consider making a donation to the Salvation Army."

Contributions may be mailed to The Salvation Army; in care of Dot Harris, treasurer; 509 North Alexander Avenue; Washington, GA 30673. For more information or to arrange for making a donation, please contact Dot Harris at 706/ 678-2818 or Rev. Huyck at 706/285- 2587.