Countywide : Salvation Army Assists 32,000 Over Holidays

The Salvation Army of Orange County gave food and gifts to more than 32,000 needy people during the holidays, a number that reflects continued support for the organization despite the county’s fiscal crisis, officials said.

“In summing up the Christmas season, the word is resilient,” said Warren Johnson, assistant coordinator for Salvation Army, Orange County Administration. “Orange County residents are resilient. When the tough times come, that’s when they really step up to the plate and help.”

Though funds raised during 1995 by the county organization have not been totaled, Johnson said, he thinks they will be comparable to 1994 fund-raising levels.

During the holidays, the county organization assisted more than 7,000 families. Of the 32,684 individuals helped, 20,100 were children 16 or younger.

A total of 23,292 people were served at the Salvation Army Christmas Warehouse and Gift Center in Anaheim, where they received a holiday dinner. There were also 18,500 toys and gifts distributed at the warehouse building, which was donated for use by the city of Anaheim.

The Salvation Army begins a lengthy process of qualifying needy families each November, Johnson said.

“We interview every family, eyeball to eyeball,” Johnson said. “We are making giant leaps in the number of families that we’re seeing and qualifying for Christmas assistance.”

The county organization also gave $20,000 in financial support to nonprofit community programs in Brea, Fullerton, La Habra and Placentia. Those programs provided assistance during the holidays to 1,900 needy families.