NATCHEZ &045; With a new director at the helm, the Salvation Army in Natchez is looking to reacquaint the Miss-Lou with its services.

Former Natchez Garden Club Director Jeanne Brunner is in her second week at the Salvation Army, replacing former director Geraldine Martin, who was a captain with the organization.

With Martin gone, the local office is now a service center focusing on the many services already provided there, from food and clothing assistance to disaster aid to Christmas projects for the needy.

&uot;This is a new experience for me, and I am really excited to combine our community at large with the needs we do address,&uot; Brunner said. &uot;What I’m trying to do is reacquaint the Miss-Lou with the service center so people know what services there are and what we can do to help.&uot;

The Salvation Army, located on Canal Street in Natchez, serves a wide area of the Miss-Lou.

&uot;We’ve been through a little time of turmoil,&uot; said advisory board chairman Barbara Winkworth of the time without a director. &uot;I was thrilled when I learned Jeanne would be the new director. I expect her to make a wonderful turnaround and make a difference in the level of services that we have.&uot;

Just nine days into the job, Brunner has hit the ground running, making plans for the annual Christmas activities as well as hoping to restock the food pantry.

Brunner is currently looking for a business to set up boxes for the food drive, which will be used to replenish the items that provide emergency assistance to those in need. Non-perishable food products such as meat, dry beans, rice and canned goods are in demand.

Next month, Christmas will be in the air as the annual kettle campaign begins.

Volunteer bell-ringers will help collect money to be used to help needy families and children over the holidays. Volunteers are needed from Nov. 21-Dec. 24 at several locations throughout Natchez. Volunteers can call a special &uot;Christmas hotline&uot; &045; cell phones donated by Cellular South &045; to sign up. Call 443-8151 and 443-1884.

&uot;We would like for our phones to be ringing off the hook,&uot; Brunner said.

Applications for the Angel Tree will take place next Monday through Wednesday, with the trees going up at Natchez Mall and Kmart later in the season.

People are invited to take an angel off the tree and donate the gift requested by a needy child.

&uot;Many people introduce their children to the art of giving through the Angel Tree,&uot; Brunner said.

The thrift store next to the Salvation Army office has just been refurbished, and Brunner said people are welcome to donate appliances, furniture and clothing that can be resold.

The organization offers a pickup service, or donations can be made at the store.

Anyone interested in volunteering or learning more about services can call the Salvation Army at 442-0217.