By DON STINE
Most of us are familiar with the traditional Salvation Army brass ensembles that are common around Christmas time. But now you can bring that ensemble to your business or home.
The Salvation Army’s traditional brass ensemble, with high-level musicians, is willing to play for five minutes to an hour in an effort to raise money to help fund the organization programs throughout the upcoming year.
“There is no verbal presentation. We just play traditional Christmas and holiday music, including well-known songs like ‘Here Comes Santa Claus’ and ‘Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,’ ” said Major Carl Carvill, Commanding Officer of the Asbury Park Corps of the Salvation Army.
“The music is all arranged by Salvation Army musicians and we anticipate the host will make a nice donation to the Salvation Army,” he said.
The music will be performed by a traditional brass ensemble, including cornets, an alto horn and maybe tubas or trombones.
Carvill said there will be a limited number of engagements booked. To book the brass ensemble, telephone Carvill at 732-775-8698.
“This is a brand new venture for us to bring awareness about the Salvation Army and we are looking to expand it next year. It’s an entertainment opportunity to help the less fortunate in our community,” he said.
The Salvation Army’s traditional bell-ringing and holiday fundraising programs account for about 30 to 40 percent of the organization’s annual income
“A lot of the programs we offer during the year depend on how well we do at Christmas so we are always looking at strategies to increase donations,” Carvill said.
Donation kettles are currently being placed at about 22 locations in Monmouth County. Money raised is used for various programs, including visits to nursing homes and other outreach programs. The Salvation Army has been operating, uninterrupted, at the Jersey Shore since 1892 and at one point Asbury Park was a central location for the organization’s retirees.
Carvill said donations hit a high after Superstorm Sandy but they have gone down in recent years.
“We are still doing work with a lot of Sandy victims. We have a lot of things happening but there are still significant social problems,” he said.
Carvill and his wife, Barbara, came to Asbury Park on July 1 from Syracuse. Together they have almost 80 years of service to the Salvation Army and the Asbury Park Corps serves about a dozen more surrounding communities.
