ARLINGTON -- The Salvation Army decided Friday to cancel its fundraising activities near Interlochen Christmas Lights to end an ongoing conflict with some homeowners along the route.
Like last weekend, volunteers had planned to set up Friday and Saturday night in front of the Army National Guard office at Randol Mill Road and Oakwood Lane and hand out cups of free hot chocolate to motorists on their way to the popular neighborhood Christmas lights tour.But Friday afternoon, the Salvation Army bowed out."We want any controversy that has been there to go away," Salvation Army Maj. Ward Matthews said. "We are not in the business of alienating folks who are good at helping us with meet the needs of the folks we help."If any more folks feel like we're after Interlochen or they are after us, we want it to go away."The Interlochen lights display draws an estimated 40,000 visitors each season,Last year, the Salvation Army set up a red kettle station at a dental office parking lot at Bowen Road and Westwood Drive close to the neighborhood's entrance. As traffic slowed, volunteers handed out free hot chocolate and solicited contributions.The group collected $5,000 over six days.When the organization announced plans to do the same thing this year, several residents vehemently objected. Some said they thought the volunteeres made traffic congestion worse. Others said that soliciting donations made it seem that visitors were expected to pay to see the lights, which residents say has been their gift to the community for more than 35 years.The red kettle was moved about six-tenths of a mile away. There, only $387 was collected in three days.The group hopes to raise at least $400,000 annually to support its homeless shelter and soup kitchen and other programs, such as rental and utilities assistance."There is a gap between last year and this year. We are saying our prayers and we are working hard," Matthews said. "We will trust the folks of North Texas to help us."Interlochen's lights will be on each night from 7 to 11 p.m. through Christmas Day.Susan Schrock, 817-709-7578Twitter: @susanschrockHave more to add? News tip? Tell us
