The Pike County Salvation Army has a strong presence in the county and also in the three other counties that it serves, Bullock, Barbour and Crenshaw.

The Salvation Army also has strong support in those counties and that was evident during its holiday Red Kettle Campaign, which is its major annual fundraiser.

“This year was the best ever for our Red Kettle Campaign,” said Kim May, Pike County Salvation Army director. “With the economy the way it is, people were still very generous.”

In 2011, the Pike County Salvation Army’s Red Kettle Campaign raised $25,175.

“This year, we topped that by $8,000 with $33,200,” May said. “It was a very good year for our Red Kettle Campaign.”

May attributed the success of the Red Kettle Campaign to dedicated volunteers, the generosity of people from all walks of life and the additional kettle site in Luverne.

Donna McLaney, Red Kettle coordinator, said the efforts to extend the fundraising campaign to Eufaula were not forthcoming but the Salvation Army did get a foot in the door and the outlook for 2013 is promising.

“We appreciate all of those who volunteered during the holidays as bell ringers and the businesses that allowed us to ring at their locations — Piggly Wiggly, Food World, Wal-Mart, Walgreen’s and Dollar Tree in Troy; Piggly Wiggly in Brundidge and Piggly Wiggly and Food Depot in Luverne,” McLaney said. “Jim Wadowick and Gene Omasta played the accordions at the Dollar Tree and people came out and sang with them. That was really special. Like Christmas should be.”

May said sales have been good at the Salvation Army Thrift Store and food and toy donations were up during the Christmas season.

The Salvation Army provided snacks and drinks for those who worked the disaster sites following the Christmas Day tornadoes that hit Pike County and will begin assistance to the victims this month.

“The Pike County Salvation Army will offer ServSafe’s Introduction to Disaster Training from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 19 at the Colley Senior Complex on Elm Street,” May said. “The introductory course will include first responder and safety training.

“Anyone who is interested in being a member of the Pike County Salvation Army Disaster Team and would like to take the training course is asked to call 334-808-1069.

Pre-registration is required.