Salvation Army

A sound synonymous with the holiday season kicked off Friday night and soon you'll start hearing the ringing bells of those manning the salvation army kettles. The group counts on donations raised during the holiday campaign to fund programs all year long. Salvation Army Major Douglas Rowland told Eyewitness News "It's a time when people come together and have the opportunity to give to someone who doesn't have as much as we do. " The Salvation Army also collects gifts for kids.

The Salvation Army is looking for volunteers to help give away coats, winter items and blankets to people in need. The items are available to individuals that bring proof of income and identification for each family member. “We need volunteers to help sort items, set up for the give-away and assist during the distribution,” says Douglas Rowland, Major and Wichita City Commander with The Salvation Army. “Last year, we gave away 4,348 winter items to 1,817 people, and we anticipate an even greater need this year.” Items will be distributed at Salvation Army City Command at 350 N. Market on Wednesday, November 9 th from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. and on Thursday, November 10 th from 9:30 a.m. to noon.

Under new management, the Wichita Biddy Basketball program starts its season. Last month the program was in need of equipment, coaches and money to get started. But now they're in much better shape. For a second year, the Chan family has signed up to play Biddy. They decided to stick with it through a change of management from the Salvation Army to the Champion Church. "We have friends here," said Keng Chan, a parent of two players. "They are organized with the coaches and friendly.

Each year, the Salvation Army collects and distributes donations for the less fortunate over the holiday season. This year, the Salvation Army's Mission of Hope Program is still looking for a Christmas Distribution Center. “We're hoping there is an individual or organization that can help us meet the needs of the Wichita community during the holidays by providing enough warehouse space for us to sort, store and eventually distribute toys to children,” said Douglas Rowland, Major and Wichita City Commander with The Salvation Army in a press release.

Barry Sanders and Antoine Carr are among the notable Wichitans who played Biddy Basketball as kids. Now, after a one-year hiatus, the league for 7 to 13-year-olds is back. Organizers kicked off registration over the weekend for the upcoming season with food and games. Last year, the Salvation Army withdrew as local sponsor for the nationwide program. But now, Champion Church on North Oliver has taken over sponsorship with the help of some generous local donors. "It instills a component of determination and purpose and faith and integrity," says Champion Church Pastor Scott Dryden.  "There's just some great characteristics of the Biddy program that makes young kids great adults.

After three deaths possibly linked to the heat, the Reno County Salvation Army is working to make sure that people have the relief they need. More people are donating fans to the Salvation Army...but they still need help. Eyewitness News Reporter Melody Pettit is in Reno County, look for her updates later today.

The Salvation Army is auctioning off gear from its Biddy Basketball program. Folks turned out to bid on things like scoreboards, equipment and other items from the program. ----- Biddy Basketball is coming back to Wichita. “Relieved…I think everyone is relieved,” says Chris Brown, a long time Biddy coach and part of the group trying to revive the program. The Salvation Army announced the end of Biddy Basketball earlier this year, blaming it on dwindling numbers.

It’s distribution day for the Salvation Army. Over 5,000 families representing well over 20,000 parents and children will pick up Christmas gifts and food vouchers that have been donated by citizens of Wichita and frozen turkeys from Cargill. The distribution is part of the Salvation Army’s “Mission of Hope” Christmas assistance program. Distribution is expected to last all day. "I'm grateful that there are people out there that care enough to help," said Stela Norman.

Many of us donate to charities this time of year, but how do you know that all those donations are going to all the people who need them? Eyewitness News posed that question to the three largest holiday charities in the Wichita area; they gave an answer Santa would be proud of. When describing Wednesday, "We sometimes refer to it as organized chaos," said Major Douglas Rowland of the Wichita area Salvation Army. Because on Thursday, the Salvation Army will play Santa - and give Christmas gifts to Wichita area families.

Hundreds of boys and girls may go without Christmas toys this year, the Salvation Army says it still has around 400 unclaimed angels on its trees. "The need is huge this year," said Craig Plank the Director of Development and Communication for the Wichita Salvation Army. The Salvation Army has seen a 30% increase in the demand for toys this year. They went from helping more than 8,000 kids last year to just more than 11,000 this year, an unexpected increase.