Salvation Army Red Kettle campaign kicks off
It’s that time of year again — time for the iconic red kettles to pop up. The Salvation Army’s Western Pennsylvania Division is kicking off its largest annual fundraising program, the Red Kettle campaign, in the coming days as Thanksgiving approaches.
Maj. Darlene Means, head of the Salvation Army Butler Corps, said money from the Red Kettle campaign goes directly toward funding vital Salvation Army programs, both during the holiday season and year-round.
“This helps us with our Christmas programs that we do and also our other programs, such as utility assistance, rental assistance, food pantry, and our lunch program we have,” Means said.
Last year, the Butler Corps was just able to reach its donation goal of $92,000, thanks to a series of late donations that came through the mail. Means is hoping to build off that success this year.
“Last year, we made $92,000,” Means said. “This year, our goal is $93,000.”
In Butler, the iconic kettles can be found at Walmart in Butler Commons, Sam’s Club at the Moraine Pointe Plaza, the recently opened Bealls at Moraine Pointe Plaza and at Walmart on Route 19 in Cranberry.
But you don’t have to drop money in the kettle to give to the fundraiser. Anyone can send a check directly to the Salvation Army Butler Corps, P.O. Box 389, Butler, PA 16003. Donating virtually is also an option, through the Salvation Army’s website, and QR codes have been placed near the kettles to facilitate virtual donations through mobile phones.
Nicole Harrell, marketing and public relations director for the Salvation Army’s Western Pennsylvania Division, touted a new method available this year for donating to the Red Kettle program — texting.
“What’s really cool is that by texting the word ‘kettle’ to 31333, they can actually reply with their ZIP code, and (the donation) will go back directly into their community,” Harrell said. “It makes sure they know where their donation is going, because everything stays local.”
The Butler Corps is one branch of the Salvation Army of Western Pennsylvania, which serves an area of 28 counties. The region has set a goal of raising $2.34 million across all counties.
Because Thanksgiving falls on the latest possible date this year, Walmart, one of the Salvation Army’s partners, is letting them place Red Kettles at its stores five days prior to the holiday.
Nationwide, as usual, the Red Kettle event kicks off during the halftime show of the Dallas Cowboys’ annual Thanksgiving Day game.
“We’re not Cowboys fans here personally, but we do thank them for supporting the Salvation Army,” Harrell said.
The Salvation Army also is looking for volunteers to ring the bell at local Red Kettles. Interested volunteers can sign up through RegisterToRing.com.
