From the Gainesville Sun

By Harriet Daniels
Staff writer

In the business of helping those in need, Maj. Don Wildish, commanding officer of the local Salvation Army, said it's rare to receive a heartfelt thank you.

So when he received a hand drawing of an angel with the words "thank you" printed underneath from 9-year-old Megan Erickson, Wildish was moved.

"It's not just about the numbers that we help but about the kids that we want to see stay in their homes," he said. "We are trying to focus on kids and what their families need to prevent homelessness."

The angel, Megan said, was intended to be a gift to Wildish and the Salvation Army staff to thank them "for helping my mom when she didn't have money for food."

And since her mom likes angels, Megan thought Wildish might like them too, so she drew one.

Megan's drawing inspired Wildish to name after her the latest fundraising campaign that is targeted to help children and their families. The effort gets under way Sept. 13 with 3,000 letters being mailed to potential donors.

The goal is to sponsor 2,100 families living in the city limits of Gainesville, many of whom are asking for help for the first time.

The suggested donation to sponsor one family is $159; $318 to sponsor two families; or $477 for three families. However Wildish said any amount donated will be used to help provide assistance with food, utilities and rent.

Wildish writes to potential donors that "the goal is simple: helping families stay in their homes."

"The homeless get a lot of attention but often the ones who don't are those trying to prevent homelessness, and that's who we want to help," he said. "Families just like Megan's."

Wildish said when he arrived in Gainesville in 2008, one of the first things he heard was there were approximately 700 homeless children in the area.

"We did not want to see that number grow," he said. "So we've changed some of the things we do to help meet those needs."

After working with the Alachua County public school system, the agency doubled the amount of children helped with Christmas gifts last year. And over the summer, the Salvation Army saw increases in the amount of requests for food and rental assistance and utility payments.

"It's been a challenge for us this year, as the economy is wearing on everyone," Wildish said. "And most families don't need a lot of help all of the time, just a little help. These are hardworking families having a hard time paying the rent and we are having a hard time helping them."

As for Megan, she thinks it's cool that others will see her artwork, but Wildish said the original will be framed for his office.

Contact Harriet Daniels at harriet.daniels@gvillesun.com or 338-3166.