After relocating its Divisional Headquarters to Canton last year, The Salvation Army is focusing its efforts on expanding its volunteer base at its administrative offices.

The headquarters at 25 Shawmut Road serves as a resource center for The Salvation Army’s 34 Corps and 210 Service Units throughout the state, and volunteers are needed to help departments (including finance, community relations, social services, information technology, youth programs, and Emergency Disaster Services) with daily administrative tasks.

“Volunteers make the programs and services of The Salvation Army possible in every community in Massachusetts including Canton, Sharon and nearby towns,” said Danielle L. Degnan, Director of Development and Community Relations at The Salvation Army.

“We know from our current volunteers that whether they provide one day of service per year, participate in a holiday distribution with their company (such as employees from the nearby NSTAR office in Westwood,) or help out in the office one day a week by making calls or sending letters, that the experience has been meaningful," Degnan said.

Canton volunteers are also needed for special projects such as securing and organizing annual Angel Tree donations, and coordinating volunteers for Thanksgiving and Christmas distributions.

Degnan said there is a very big need for volunteer at The Salvation Army’s nearby summer camp – Camp Wonderland in Sharon – an affordable week-long overnight camp on 110 acres on Lake Massapoag that serves 1,200 Massachusetts children each summer.

Volunteers play a critical role in the success of The Salvation Army, said Degnon, noting that approximately 57,000 Massachusetts residents volunteer each year with EDS [Emergency Disaster Services], feeding programs, soup kitchens, visiting seniors and veterans, tending Red Kettles, collecting and distributing toys, coats and food and many other services to deliver basic needs.

“There is no limit to the lives our volunteers touch, whether it is directly or indirectly, and that’s why they are so important to our organization,” said Degnon.

If Canton residents are most interested in volunteering at one of The Salvation Army’s 30 Thrift Stores, they could do so at the Norwood store.

If they are interested in donating items like clothing, furniture or household items to be sold at a store (the proceeds from which support co-educational residential alcohol and drug treatment programs,) they can be dropped off at an Adult Rehabilitation Center, Certified Collection Center or by scheduling a Thrift Store Red Shield truck at 1-800-95-TRUCK.

The Salvation Army also accepts unwanted vehicles that meet certain criteria. For more information, visit any Thrift Store Location or call 1-888-999-ARMY.

Degnon said the organization’s biggest volunteer needs come during the holidays where they ask for community assistance through toy drives, winter coats and meals, but since “need knows no season” they rely on the support and generosity of the community all year long.

The Salvation Army website http://www.salvationarmy-ma.org and Facebook page are are updated frequently and serve as resources for those looking to contribute with their time, talent or treasure or are in need of services themselves, said Degnon.

Currently, The Salvation Army needs:

• Clothing of all types (women, children and men)
• Household Furniture
• Household Items
• Shoes
• Bric-A-Brac (odds and ends)
• Jewelry and Accessories
• Toys and Games
• Sporting Goods

The Salvation Army does not need nor accept:

• Appliances
• TVs, stereos, and computers
• Metal shelving
• Water beds
• Furniture in bad repair
• Books, CDs, video tapes and magazines
• Old encyclopedias
• Bathroom fixtures (toilets, etc.)
• Tires
• Paint
• Swing sets
• Water heaters
• Windows
• Doors

To volunteer with The Salvation Army, contact Volunteer Coordinator Kimberly Santos at Kimberly.santos@use.salvationarmy.org or call the Canton office at 339-502-5853.