This Christmas season, The Salvation Army in Austin may have to rely upon miracles.

It is in the midst of an ambitious $104,000 fund appeal that comes on the heels of the United Way of Mower County own $775,000 fund drive.

The Salvation Army's goal is to raise the money in four weeks. The holiday season has also seen a dramatic increase in requests for assistance.

Particularly disturbing is the number of new clients, including children. The emergency food pantry operated by The Salvation Army is also being depleted by more requests.

Already, plans are being made to increase the free community meals served by The Salvation Army in response to the growing number of hungry people.

Like the increase in family assistance requests, the emergency food pantry is serving a growing number of people, who would be classified as "middle class."

That, more than anything else, suggests the local economy is staggering with the worst of winter still ahead.

What The Salvation Army needs more than anything is a miracle. What it got last Friday was just that.

"We started doing this three years ago after our son, Dustin, died in a car crash," said Robert Rosel Jr. "We wanted to keep Dustin in our Christmas."

The father turned over 60 presents donated by the Rosel family, their relatives and friends.

Among the latter were other parents of children and teenagers, who died. Most of them were families who live in the Southland Independent School District.

Three years ago, Rob and Madonna Rosel donated gifts to Sacred Hearth Catholic School in Adams for distribution to needy children in the parish.

Last year, they opened their home to friends of their son, Dustin, and the presents were donated to The Salvation Army.

This year, their circle of friends -- including grieving parents and young people who lost Southland classmates -- widened even further.

"We got presents from Austin Medical Center, where my wife works, and from the U.S. Postal Service, where I work," he said. "A lot of the Southland parents, who also lost children joined us. The Heimers, the Greenleys, the Woltermans, the Weises and others. We just had a potluck and asked everybody to bring something to eat and a present that we would turn over to The Salvation Army."

Some donated cash and gift certificates. Major Doug Yeck, officer in charge, and The Salvation Army's Lori Espe and Pat Wright all expressed their appreciation.

Espe said the gesture could inspire others to share their blessings.

"This is just a magnificent story. A truly incredible giving story," said Yeck.

"This is what Christmas is all about," said Wright.

The Rosels' son, Dustin, then 20, died July 17, 2000, when his car was struck on the Mower County Highway 4 curve west of Rose Creek.

The father said his son was "a very giving person," who enjoyed surprising relatives, friends and even strangers with gifts.

"We celebrate at this time of the year like it was a birthday party

for our son," he said. "We've had other people who have lost children say they want to keep their children alive in their Christmases, too."

Yeck said The Salvation Army is financially strapped this Christmas.

That's why the visit by the Rose Creek man, Rosel, created so much excitement Friday.

"It was a miracle and we needed it," said Yeck.

Lee Bonorden can be contacted at 434-2232 or by e-mail at

lee.bonorden@austindailyherald.com