1:23
The Minocqua Salvation Army raised nearly $37,000, meeting its goal and staying on par with previous years.
Amanda Jahn, a Salvation Army service representative for the area, said one reason the Minocqua Salvation Army did so well is because of a $9,000 donation from Rondele Ranch.
“That’s what helped big time to meet that or they would have been behind as well,” she said.
Because of this donation, Jahn said the Minocqua Salvation Army is equipped to meet the needs of the community.
But other areas aren’t as lucky.
Rhinelander, for example, is about $10,000 short of its $50,000 goal.
That could be a problem in a year when many people are in need of extra support.
1:28
The Salvation Army is anticipating a 50 percent drop in holiday donations this year, a trend local Salvation Army workers are noticing in the Northwoods.
Kim Swisher, the Kettle Coordinator for the Minocqua Salvation Army, said fewer people are signing up for bell ringing shifts this year because of concerns about COVID-19.
As a result, donations for the Minocqua Salvation Army are down, at a time when need is great.
“People have been very generous and as of [Monday] we’ve raised almost $8,000, but usually we raise about $35,000 in a season,” Swisher said. “We’re concerned. We’re very concerned.”
Of every dollar donated to the Salvation Army, 86 cents stay in the local community, with the remaining 14 going to state and national efforts.