‘8 Hours of Caring’ Telethon: Give stability & hope to Louisiana families in need

Deadly weather and an even deadlier pandemic have made 2020 one of the toughest years in recent memory. Many people have lost their homes, their jobs, and even members of their family or community.

Regardless of where you are or what you do, it’s unlikely that these disasters have failed to touch you. For those still reeling from recent tragedy, the Salvation Army wants you to know it’s here to help. And for those who have made it this far with relatively few losses, we’re asking you to consider helping those who haven’t faired as well.

We Need Your Help

On Sept. 24, 2020, the Salvation Army Monroe Corps and KNOE will host “Eight Hours of Caring” to raise awareness for programs offered to those in need and help build-up the Monroe Corps which will go to help members of the community in need of a lifeline.

The telethon will air on KNOE and begins at 9 a.m., running until 5 p.m. Our goal is $30,000 -- Money that is needed to help bring a small sense of comfort and stability to those going through what might be the worst time in their lives.

Your Gift is More Than Just Money

When you give to the Salvation Army, you aren’t simply buying someone a meal or helping to pay their bills, you are giving them something much more valuable: the strength and spirit to face their next challenge, and to do so successfully.

Your gift of $400 means stability for children taking online classes and a familiar place to rest while giving parents peace of mind and more time to find sustainable solutions. Your gift of $200 means safety and a week of warm nights in the winter for someone who would otherwise be out on the streets with no other place to go.

$100 keeps a family’s spirits high and stomachs full, making the next step to get back on their feet just a little bit easier. $30 lets a senior citizen know they haven’t been forgotten, with your gift going toward a week’s worth of activities.

And if you can’t donate that much, you can still help. Even a single dollar can help allay hardships. Small donations can quickly build into significant aid, as even the highest stairs must be built from smaller stones. Don’t hesitate, as your small donation could be the stone that gets a downtrodden family to higher ground.

A Track Record of Helping

Whatever the disaster, the Salvation Army has been there to help. The Monroe Corps provided 900 meals during this year’s Easter storms, 2,610 meals during Hurricane Laura relief, and provided 15,034 meals and assisted 525 southeast Louisiana families with utility and rent assistance so far during COVID-19.

The Monroe Corps has spent the past two weeks serving community meals throughout Monroe and West Monroe and deployed a mobile feeding unit to Alexandria to assist with Emergency Disaster Services for Hurricane Laura relief.

Again, these are just some of the ways they’ve helped during dire times in Louisiana. What’s more, when the Salvation Army Monroe Corps helps someone in Louisiana, it’s an extension of your generosity. You can check out some of their recent work below.

The second annual Salvation Army Banquet, which was scheduled for this November, has been canceled due to COVID-19 restrictions. This year’s telethon will serve as a way for the northeast Louisiana community to connect with the Salvation Army and learn more about programs and efforts that assist our neighbors in need.

The Radio People, 88.7 The Cross, and The Peach in Ruston will be joining KNOE and The Salvation Army for the event.