MEET KEVIN NEAL, FROM WEST BALTIMORE
A couple days ago, The Salvation Army’s Temple Corps spearheaded by Lt. Schelika Chisolm and Captain Michael Chisolm, partnered up with The Southwest Police Division and The Southwest Police Division’s Community team to expand Angel Tree Christmas Assistance and Food Assistance for 150 people in West Baltimore. The team congregated at the Edmondson Shopping Center, by the Old Dollar Tree, to hand out gifts and words of love to many people in need. Moms, single family units, children, and the underemployed waited to get help from Temple Corps members, such as Mr. Reggie, a long- time staple of the church.
A month ago, The Salvation Army of Central Maryland had a very slow start to acquiring Angel Tree gifts but thanks to support from many of our media friends, many people opened their hearts and wallets and adopted several hundred children, including ones who live in West Baltimore. Christmas is out of reach for many people living in West Baltimore.
Kevin Neal, 30s’, has lived in Edmondson Village all his life. He gives back to his community when he can but lost his job due to COVID. As a single father of four kids, it’s been a struggle to take care of his family, look for work, and to ensure his family has everything they need.
“This Angel Tree Toy Drive has been a true blessing for me and for my family,” said Kevin. “I am a certified Community Health Worker, who dreams to work in community relations. I lost my job due to COVID, and I work reduced hours. Without a steady income this year, my family has endured many struggles.”
Every day is a struggle for Kevin, who has to take his 4 boys ages 12, 8, 5, and 2 to school daily and juggle time to apply for a job.
“This Christmas assistance has helped take some stress out for the holiday season. I thank The Salvation Army one-thousand-times over. This has been the biggest blessing for 2022 for me and for my family. The Salvation Army was the only one who stepped in when I needed aid.”
The Salvation Army of Central Maryland is low on funding this quarter. With ½ a million down on fundraising this quarter, and red kettles across Central Maryland not raising $100,000, some people in Baltimore, Harford County, Howard County, Carroll County and in Glen Burnie will go without food, rental assistance, utility assistance, and Christmas assistance for next year.
Will you give Love Beyond Christmas morning to a family in need?