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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.