Salvation armies join forces for kids.

• Position: NEWS

Byline: Ellie Oleson

COLUMN: TELEGRAM & GAZETTE SANTA

As the Worcester Salvation Army has teamed up with the Telegram & Gazette Santa again this year, so has the Fitchburg Salvation Army, which hopes to give out toys to an estimated 2,000 needy children in 350 families in Fitchburg, Leominster, Lunenburg and surrounding communities in time for the holidays.

Salvation Army Maj. Charlene A. Hager and her husband, Capt. Mark A. Hager, are commanding officers and pastors for the Fitchburg Corps.

Major Hager said a majority of the toys come from the Telegram & Gazette Santa, with additional gifts donated through the corps' Adopt-A-Family and Angel Tag programs.

"We get all new toys, nothing used. We try to make sure that each child gets something age-appropriate. Parents are so grateful for anything they get. The T&G toys are huge for us and the source of most of our toys. It's a team effort to get the right toys out to that many children that quickly, but it means so much to the parents and the children."

She said hundreds of families have already applied for the toys to be distributed from the Christmas Castle, which will be set up at John Fitch Plaza on John Fitch Highway for visits, by appointment only, in time for Christmas.

Parents and guardians come to the castle to pick up toys, clothes and gifts bagged especially for each family.

"We have a lot of new people who need help for the first time this year," Major Hager said.

She said some parents lost their jobs, others lost their unemployment benefits after lengthy, unsuccessful job searches. There are also the homeless and low-income families who simply cannot afford to buy toys.

In addition to the toy giveaway, the Salvation Army also has its bell-ringers out in force, attempting to raise money for those in need.

"We have many more elderly on fixed incomes asking for assistance. Prices have gone up; benefits haven't. They need help, too," Maj. Hager said.

Donated toiletries and new bathrobes, socks and slippers are being accepted at the Salvation Army office at 739 Water St. in Fitchburg, and Fitchburg High School senior and National Honor Society member Dylan J. DiGeronimo, 17, is collecting blankets to be donated to the Good Neighbor Energy Fund.

"There are a lot of people in need, this year. Fortunately, we also have a lot of generous people willing to help," Major Hager said.

In its 73rd year, the T&G Santa Fund collects thousands of donations from generous readers and area residents...