EDITORIAL

Scouts ring the bell for kettle drive.

   Boy Scout Troop 888 has put the "help wanted" sign out.
   It is looking for volunteers to ring bells and man kettles during the annual Salvation Army kettle drive. Volunteers would be asked to spend an hour outside local businesses soliciting pocket change from patrons on Dec. 16 and 17.
   The drive, which netted $8,700 last year, is an important component of the township’s holiday assistance program, providing people who faced emergency needs with up to $200 in immediate financial help.
   It is kept in a separate account and administered by the township Department of Social Services in conjunction with the regional Salvation Army
   LouAnne Wolf, director of social services, said the money has been used to cover everything from utility and insurance bills to school supplies, license renewals, gasoline, clothing and other expenditures.
   "It’s meant as a one-shot to get people back on their feet so they can continue to work or get back into the workforce," she said. The Scouts plan to set up kettles outside the Wawa on Georges Road in Dayton, the Dunkin Donuts on Route 522 in Dayton, the three Stop ‘N’ Shop stores on Routes 522, 1 and 27, the Walgreens on Route 27 and the Kendall Park post office on Route 27.
   To volunteer, call Scoutmaster Frank Gramieri at (732) 735-3540 or Jen Vogel, co-event coordinator, at (732) 881-3158 or (732) 355-1772.
   The hour or so volunteers spend can help make the difference for dozens of needy families in the township.

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   Unfortunately, the money raised through the kettle drive represents only a fraction of the money needed to aid local families.
   The township’s Human Intervention Trust Fund, also administered by the Department of Social Services, assists residents who need temporary help with rent and utilities. As of Tuesday, there was $10,600 in the fund — about $15,000 less than was in the fund at this time last year and well below what Social Services expects will be needed in 2006, due to increases in heating costs and other goods.
   We remain hopeful that the Township Council will provide a regular source of funding, but that is not likely to happen until the 2006 budget is approved, sometime early next year. In the meantime, it is up to the folks who live and work with the people who will be helped by the Human Intervention Trust Fund to make sure their neighbors are taken care of.
   Please consider making a donation. Mail checks payable to the Human Intervention Trust Fund to P.O. Box 190, Municipal Complex, Monmouth Junction, N.J. 08852.
   Also, Social Services can always use supermarket gift cards. They can be mailed to the same address or dropped off at the township Food Pantry, Monday through Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. Pantry offices are located in the Community Center in Woodlot Park on New Road.