Mike Wolanin | The Republic Salvation Army bell ringer Dakota Laktonen, left, uses his hand to stabilize the donation kettle as Lydia Kostek makes a donation to the Salvation Army’s Red Kettle Campaign outside Hobby Lobby in Columbus, Ind., Friday, Dec. 2, 2022.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic Salvation Army bell ringer Dakota Laktonen, left, uses his hand to stabilize the donation kettle as Lydia Kostek makes a donation to the Salvation Army’s Red Kettle Campaign outside Hobby Lobby in Columbus, Ind., Friday, Dec. 2, 2022.
A goal of $100,000 has been set by the Salvation Army of Columbus for its annual Red Kettle Campaign. Corps officer Capt. Amy Tomkins says money raised will provide help and hope to vulnerable members of our community.
“We’ve seen the need continue to rise as inflation affects more and more families,” Tomkins said. “When someone gives to one of our Red Kettles, they’re making sure that we can be there when a family is facing hunger, or eviction, or any number of other struggles.”
Tomkins’ assessment is in line with what the director of the Community Action Center revealed a week ago. Alicia Monroe said her organization – which oversees registration for the Columbus Firemen’s Cheer Fund, Toys For Tots, Shop With a Cop, the Community Center of Hope and St. Bartholomew’s Giving Tree – is seeing a drastic increase in need this year.
While the Red Kettles have been part of every holiday season since 1891, the Salvation Army is facing some uniquely 21st century problems.
A decline in donations has been traced to the fact that many people don’t shop with cash. The convenience of debit and credit cards has moved most of society toward becoming cashless.
On top of that, the National Retail Foundation is predicting that holiday online sales will increase between 8% to 9%.
But the Salvation Army has been testing the digital payments since 2018.
In Columbus, online donations are encouraged by visiting salarmy.us/columbuschristmas2024 to donate through a safe and secure donation site.
In several cities, there have been some national retail chains who no longer allow the Salvation Army to ring on their property. Some give the “if we let you solicit, we have to let everyone solicit” explanation while others raised liability concerns – even while the nonprofit has insurance to handle any potential problem.
But for many, the Red Kettle campaign has become a traditional part of the Christmas season.
In Columbus, bell ringers are being stationed at Walmart, Sam’s Club, Kroger, Hobby Lobby and Walgreens. Smaller counter kettles are also sprinkled around the community at retailers and restaurants.
Many more volunteer bell ringers are still needed to ensure that Red Kettles can be out through Christmas Eve. Individuals, groups, and families are invited to sign up on registertoring.com for the location, date, and time of their choosing.
In addition to the Red Kettle Campaign, Christmas assistance programs are underway to help local children, seniors, and incarcerated individuals.
The public is encouraged to look for Angel Trees around the community where Angels can be adopted and Christmas wishes fulfilled for hundreds of children in need. Once returned to The Salvation Army, these gifts are packaged and distributed to families in December, just in time for Christmas.
In just two hours, a bell ringer can raise enough money to feed a family of four for an entire week.
“Those dollars add up to hope for thousands of people right here in Bartholomew County,” Tompkins said.
