Salvation Army Red Kettles Pacing Behind Goal
The Salvation Army could use your help.
The COVID-19 pandemic has been a real challenge for the Salvation Army. Not only are they experiencing an increased need for their services, they are also falling behind the Red Kettle Goal for 2020.
With less foot traffic at retailers due to fewer people shopping in stores, the Salvation Army has currently only been able to raise $87,000, far short of their 2020 kettle goal of $130,000.
All is not lost, however. The Salvation Army bells will continue to ring outside of stores through Christmas Eve, so there’s still time to hit the goal.
December 16, 2020 By Jon King / jking@whmi.com
Livingston County Fire Departments will once again take over Red Kettle locations across the county this weekend.
This Saturday, December 19th marks the 20th year that firefighters have been ringing the bell for The Salvation Army of Livingston County and making what officials say is âa huge impact on the annual fundraiser.â In some years, the firefighters collect in a single day what is raised over a full weekend. This year, they will be taking over 9 of the 14 kettle locations, for a total of 92 hours of ringing. While COVID has made things different this year, the fire departments are still committed to not only ringing, but also bringing out their big rigs for the kids.
WASILLAâ The Mat-Su Salvation Army is hurting really bad during a really important time of the year, the holidays.
Donations from Red kettles are down 75% in the Valley, due mostly to the drastically low number of volunteer bell ringers, according to The Salvation Army Mat-Su Valley Corps Major Kevin E. Bottjen.
âCOVID has hit us hard,â Bottjen said.
The Salvation Army is facing historic lows in donations while working an uphill battle against a huge spike in overall need for essential services like food, utility and family support services.
âItâs tripled, easily,â Bottjen said.
According to Bottjen, their office typically works 20 to 30 cases a week. Now itâs between 60 to 90 per week. He said that recent food assistance grants have helped them curb the surge in demand, but their limited volunteer base makes everything more difficult. Aside from Bottjen and his wife Tina, thereâs only one paid employee, so the majority of their workforce
Photo by Patricia O’Blenes
Pay it forward: A guide to safely donating this holiday season By: Jonathan Shead | C&G Newspapers | Published December 15, 2020
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METRO DETROIT ’Tis the season for gift giving and a little extra generosity. As people begin to gather gifts and prepare to spread some holiday cheer, they may be wondering how they can help someone less fortunate this year.
Before people go digging for their wallets, however, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel wants to remind Michiganders to be careful when donating this holiday season to avoid being the victim of a scam.
“While there are lots of people in need this holiday season, and it’s important to give, make sure your money goes to the right place,” Nessel said in an informational video.
Quentin Hart declared winner of The Salvation Army Mayoral Battle of the Bells
Battle of the Bells trophy to stay in Waterloo
WATERLOO, Iowa (KWWL) The Salvation Army held their 12th Annual Red Kettle Mayoral Battle of the Bells last Saturday from 10 a.m-Noon. Waterloo Mayor Quentin Hart has been declared the winner raising $2,138.60 and a gold coin. Evansdale Mayor Troy Beatty s kettle raised $221.88. The Mayoral Battle of the Bells competition is one of the highlights of our kettle season each year. We are grateful for the ongoing support from our elected officials who keeps this tradition going to raise funds to help support our services,