The Galveston County Daily News

GALVESTON — Despite a hurricane that rendered thousands homeless three months ago, Galveston County residents this Christmas dug deeper in their pockets and dropped more change in Salvation Army kettles than in years past.

While Maj. Elda Flores won’t have exact figures until the end of the year, she said the organization raised more money, and with fewer kettles and bell ringers, than last year.

Typically, the island Salvation Army operates nine kettles throughout Galveston. Because many stores remain closed after Hurricane Ike flooded 75 percent of the island Sept. 13, the agency operated only five kettles and on fewer days this holiday season, Flores said.

Even so, bell ringers reported that people were dropping change while thanking the Salvation Army for the food, cleaning supplies and gift cards the agency doled out after Hurricane Ike.

“People are grateful for what the Salvation Army did during the disaster,” Flores said. “We fed a lot of folks during their time of need and they are showing appreciation for what we did for them.”

Salvation Army volunteers, motoring around Galveston County in mobile kitchens for weeks, served 1.7 million meals and 2.6 million snacks in the aftermath of Ike. They also handed out kits of cleaning supplies and gift cards to big box retail stores.

Other charitable organizations, including the Mainland Communities United Way of Galveston County, have also reported a slight spike in donations this year.

“We’re taking care of our own,” said Chris Delasandri, assistant director. “People are helping their neighbors. They might not know who they are, but they’re giving anyway.”

The unexpected influx of donations to the Salvation Army, from the kettles and from mailed-in donations as far away as Dallas, will help the Salvation Army reopen its flooded shelter on 23rd St. and Broadway sooner than expected, Flores said.

“For me, it has been a great blessing,” she said. “The generosity of our community has been enormous. I can’t describe it in words. People have given me the Christmas gift of their generosity.”