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It's always bustling at the Salvation Army of Rockingham County. But this year, in the midst of an economic crisis, Capts. John and Andrea Sikes are experiencing more of a demand for services from their clients in Rockingham and Caswell counties. Staff writer Jonnelle Davis spoke with them about how they are helping families in need this holiday season.

Q. Are you seeing an increase in the number of clients seeking assistance through the Salvation Army?

A. John Sikes: Our numbers are up. I can't give you some exact figures right now, but I know for a fact that our numbers are a lot higher. We're not able to take any more appointments until Jan. 5 for everyday utility assistance and food assistance. We're booked up through the first of the year, and we just absolutely can't take any more appointments right now. We actually had to put in another phone line to be able to receive the calls that we're getting. We had two phone lines, and about a month ago we had to put another one in, and that's still not meeting the needs. It's overwhelming. We're doing the best we can.

 Q. Do you find that there are a lot of families reluctant to come to you for help?

 A. John Sikes: We have families, I would be willing to guess right now, that are in need of help that aren't coming forward because of their embarrassment, and that's the families we want to reach.

Let me tell you a story that happened within the last couple of months. I walked out here in our lobby one day, and there was an elderly couple sitting out there and they ... had their heads looking down at the floor, and I could tell that there was some concern on them. So I walked over and sat down and began to talk to them. And they said, "We've been able to supply for ourselves forever. We've never asked for help. This is the first time we've ever asked for help in our lives. But we either have a choice to buy our groceries, pay our medicine or keep our lights on. We can't do all three.'' That's the kind of folks we like to reach.

Q. What has been your most memorable Christmas?

 A. John Sikes: Let me tell you a situation we had last year. We had a family that was burnt out right at Christmas time. We did not have them on a list to provide because they were planning on providing for themselves. But they lost everything, like, the week before Christmas. Their house burnt down here in Rockingham County. They lost everything they had. They came to the Salvation Army. We had already ended applications. We know someone that stepped up and provided Christmas for them, and that sticks out in my mind because that family came with tears in their eyes, not expecting anything, and we were able to provide that for them.

Q. Do you ever find that being part of a small community hampers your efforts in getting help from the public?

 A. John Sikes: Our community is very gracious. We get to the last minute, we wonder where's the help gonna come from, and all of a sudden they step up and help.

 Q. Have you noticed an increase this year in the number of families seeking Christmas assistance through the Angel Tree program?

 A. Andrea Sikes: It's been about the same as last year. We have 491 applications this year. That will be including about close to 900 children from the ages of 12 and under.

 Q. How are families chosen for the Angel Tree program?

 A. Andrea Sikes: It's usually advertised with the different nonprofit agencies in our town. They come and take an application, and we just review the applications (based on) how many in the household, how much income is (coming) in and how (is) going out.

 Q. How do you solicit gifts for the Angel Tree program?

 A. Andrea Sikes: In the past, we've been able to put Angel Trees in the Kmart and Walmarts and the stores that are in the community. But this year, we have been told ... we are not allowed to put the Angel Tree tags in the stores. (Since this interview, the Salvation Army has been able to place Angel Trees in three Walmart stores and one Kmart in Rockingham County).

 Q. Are there a certain number of gifts each child receives?

 A. Andrea Sikes: We try to make sure that ... each child receives at least three to four gifts . Maybe one large item, maybe two or three smaller items to go along with it.

 Q. What kind of stories do you hear from families at Christmas?

 A. Andrea Sikes: They don't go into detail, but there are mothers that come in, and when they see the gifts coming out, they're crying because they're so relieved to know that they'll have something to put under the tree or put in the living room, or for the children to open up the next morning.

 Q. What's a typical day like in your office during the holidays?

 A. John Sikes: There's no typical day. Our days right now for us run from 8 o'clock in the morning till 9:30 at night.

 Contact Jonnelle Davis at 627-4881, Ext. 126, or jonnelle.davis@news-record