Page 18 THE REVERE ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2022 In this week of Christmas, The Salvation Army makes final appeal for Red Kettle donations across Massachusetts Delivering “Love Beyond” the holidays requires support now – donations are down from last year T his week The Salvation Army’s Massachusetts Division announced that the organization is issuing a fi nal statewide urgent appeal for donations to its 2022 Red Kettle Campaign. Charitable donations through the Massachusetts Divisions’ Red Kettles are currently down by more than 23 percent statewide compared to last year. The Division has a goal to raise $2.6 million through Red Kettles this year to serve all those in need all year long. Red Kettles and volunteers are present in hightraffi c locations through Christmas Eve in most communities in Massachusetts, but supporters can also easily donate online to The Salvation Army Virtual Kettle at https://salarmy.us/ MassRedKettle. The familiar Red Kettle campaign is in its 132nd year, and it represents The Salvation Army’s largest annual fundraiser worldwide. Throughout this holiday season, The Salvation Army has aided thousands of people in need who still struggle with the adverse eff ects of the pandemic and intergenerational poverty. From distributing Thanksgiving meals and gift cards for Christmas dinner to distributing Christmas toys for children in every zip code across the state, The Salvation Army is there for those in need. “The lifeblood of our work is the donations provided by people in all of our communities,” said the General Secretary of The Salvation Army’s Massachusetts Division, Major Scott Kelly. “Though the Christmas season is nearing its conclusion, I truly believe that our community will propel us to our goal for this year. We are asking people with any available resources – in any amount – to please donate at a Red Kettle near you and Latest Seasonally Unadjusted Estimates for Local Labor Markets in Massachusetts BOSTON, MA— December 20, 2022 - Local unemployment rates increased in seven labor market areas, decreased in fourteen areas and remained unchanged in three labor market areas in the state during the month of November compared to October, the Executive Offi ce of Labor and Workforce Development reported. Compared to November 2021, the rates were down in twentyfour labor market areas. Of the fi fteen areas for which employment estimates are published, ten NECTA areas gained jobs compared to the previous month. The largest increases occurred in the Leominster-Gardner (+1.1%), Brockton-Bridgewater-Easton (+0.7%), and Framingham (+0.7%) areas. From November 2021 to November 2022, fourteen areas gained jobs with the largest percentage increases seen in the Lowell-Billerica-Chelmsford MANH (+6.0%), Boston-CambridgeNewton (+5.2%), and LeominsterGardner (+4.7%) areas. The statewide seasonally adjusted preliminary jobs estimate showed an increase of 17,300 jobs in November, and an over-theyear gain of 144,200 jobs. In order to compare the statewide rate to local unemployment rates, the Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates the statewide unadjusted unemployment rate for November 2022 was 2.9 percent, down one-tenth of a percentage point from the revised October estimate and fi ve-tenths of a percentage point below the nation’s unadjusted unemployment rate of 3.4 percent. Last week, the Executive Offi ce of Labor and Workforce Development reported the statewide seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in the month of November 2022 was 3.4 percent, down onetenth of a percentage point from the revised October 2022 estimate of 3.5 percent. The U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics reported the nation’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for November 2022 was 3.7 percent. The unadjusted unemployment rates and job estimates for the labor market areas refl ect seasonal fl uctuations and therefore may show different levels and trends than the statewide seasonally adjusted estimates. The estimates for labor force, unemployment rates, and jobs for Massachusetts are based on different statistical methodology specifi ed by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. help us deliver ‘Love Beyond’ the holiday season by fulfi lling our mission for people in need year-round.” “Inflation and the elevated cost of living are just the latest challenge for millions of Americans – and tens of thousands of individuals and families in Massachusetts – who face the threat of poverty every day,” said the Divisional Commander for The Salvation Army in Massachusetts, Major Everett Henry. “The love and generosity of our neighbors has been with us and the people in need through a global pandemic, a persistent opioid cris is, an aff ordable housing shortage and more. On Thursday, December 22nd we believe many of them will pause and take a moment to click on our virtual kettle.” Donations to the signature Red Kettles allow The Salvation Army to provide life-changing social services and other programs for thousands of people in Massachusetts each year. Not only are these important programs off ered during the holiday season, but off erings extend throughout an entire calendar year to meet the increasing needs of those battling food insecurity and those who are struggling to pay bills. Operating locally for more than 135 years, The Salvation Army has relied upon its iconic Red Kettle campaign since the 1890s to provide support and services to those in need every year. The resurgence of the pandemic has put new strains on social service organizations like The Salvation Army that have worked nonstop for 18 months to fulfill heightened requests for help. About The Salvation Army The Salvation Army helps more than 25 million Americans overcome poverty, addiction and economic hardships through a range of social services. By providing food for the hungry, emergency relief for disaster survivors, rehabilitation for those suff ering from drug and alcohol addiction and clothing and shelter for people in need, The Salvation Army is doing the most good a t 7,200 centers of operation around the country. During times of disaster, 100 percent of designated donations to The Salvation Army are used for immediate response and long-term eff orts. In 2021, The Salvation Army was ranked No. 2 on the list of “America’s Favorite Charities” by The Chronicle of Philanthropy. For more information, visit SalvationArmyMA.org – and follow The Salvation Army on Twitter @SalvationArmyMA and #DoingTheMostGood. Postal Service ready for the holidays Extended retail hours at many Post Offi ces Unemployment and Job A t the Postal Service, we know the holidays are a hectic time of year. To make shipping convenient for customers, the Postal Service is extending hours at Post Offi ces across the nation. Select Postal facilities in the Massachusetts / Rhode Island District are extending their hours and will provide full retail services, including stamp sales and package acceptance. Customers may follow the following link – https://www.usps. com/holiday/holiday-schedule. htm -- for the USPS holiday service schedule. Enter a ZIP Code to search for a Post Offi ce near you to see the available services and holiday hours. The Postal Service is focused on delivering for our nation this holiday season. Help for Kids who Stutter is as Close as Your Library K ids who stutter have a lot to say, and friends can show them how in Stuttering: For Kids By Kids, a DVD in English and Spanish starring kids who stutter, available at most public libraries or through interlibrary loan. Many children who stutter have never met others who struggle with the same disability. In this DVD from the Stuttering Foundation, they meet kids who recount how they handle challenges such as teasing, speaking out in class, and teaching others about stuttering. Swish, a lively and engaging animated basketball character designed by students at Purdue University, narrates the DVD. The children, who range in age from fi rst-graders to high school students, offer frank and sometimes diff ering views of stuttering. For example, Matthew, age 10, says about his speech diffi culties, “It’s no big deal;” but Kate, age 9, worries about talking, what is going to happen next and whether or not she’ll stutter. Arianne, age 14, says, “The hardest part about stuttering is to get through it and to stay in there when you’re stuck.” Umang, age 12, agrees, “Sometimes it gets kind of annoying when you want to say something and you can’t. I also get worried what other people might think if I do stutter and wonder if I’ll be able to get out of my blocks and things.” “All those interested in helping kids learn more about stuttering will want to see this tape,” said speechlanguage pathologist Bill Murphy of Purdue University. “The children featured are a perfect example of how to openly and honestly handle stuttering.” “This is an important tool for families and teachers of kids who stutter,” added Jane Fraser, president of the nonprofi t Stuttering Foundation. Other professionals and specialists in stuttering in this production include Kristin Chmela of Northwestern University, Joe Donaher of Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Lisa Scott of Florida State University, and Lee Caggiano of Friends. Since 1947, the nonprofit Foundation has provided free materials to public libraries nationwide. A library that will shelve them can download a request form at http:// www.stutteringhelp.org/libraries-information, email info@stutteringhelp.org or call 800-992-9392.
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