Salvation Army Tries to Keep Pot Boiling

‘Tis the season for those distinctive red kettles.

But with just four days before Christmas, the Salvation Army, like most charities, is lagging behind in its efforts to raise funds to support its work tending to the material and spiritual needs of Orange County’s poor.

The century-old tradition of the red kettle helps feed the poor at Christmas and support community and social services programs in operation throughout the year.

“It’s a Christmas tradition of seeing the red kettle,” said Lt. Lee R. Lescano, the Salvation Army’s Orange County coordinator.

“The reason we do it is because it’s our one last chance to get people to donate who would never think of the Salvation Army otherwise.”

Last year, donations to the 50 kettles placed at stores and shopping centers around the county produced $200,000--this year’s target.

But to date, donations have reached only one-fourth of that total, Lescano said.

This holiday season, the Salvation Army is helping 5,500 families more than it ever has before, according to Lescano.

Families will receive food baskets and grocery store vouchers. In addition, 15,000 new toys will be given to children under 12.

“Most people don’t know it, but we’re both a church and a charity,” Lescano said.

In addition, the group provides worship services, Bible studies, an Hispanic ministry and youth programs.

The Salvation Army has six family service offices and runs three community centers, two in Anaheim, and one in Santa Ana.

It also operates a a 56-bed shelter and a youth center, both located in Santa Ana.

“We feel that for what God has done for us, we want to reach out to others who need our help--and that includes both physical assistance as well as spiritual guidance,” Lescano said.

Lescano, 40, of Fountain Valley, said the kettle tradition started 101 years ago in San Francisco.

A Salvation Army officer took a kettle off the fireplace and used it to collect donations.

Both his parents were officers in the Salvation Army for 38 years. He never considered becoming involved until about six years ago.

“As I look at it now, it’s probably what I always wanted to do,” said Lescano, who has headed the Salvation Army’s Orange County operations for a year and a half.

Lescano and his wife, Michele, are a team ministry. Both are commissioned to be officers and ordained by the Salvation Army.

“Our mission is to reach people in any way possible with the Gospel,” said Lescano, father of three and pastor to a congregation of 300.

“And what attracts me to the Salvation Army is there are so many unique opportunities to reach people. I’ve literally gotten people off the street and taken them to shelter--people at the end of their rope.”

Then there are times when Lescano can’t help those who need it or must make administrative decisions that affect people’s lives.

“That’s the hard part,” he said.