Salvation Army's Red Kettle Campaign kicks off in Bloomington
BLOOMINGTON — The Salvation Army kicked off its annual Red Kettle Campaign with the goal of raising more than a half-million dollars to support its programs and services in McLean County.
"We want to say thank you to our advisory board members, church members and of course all our volunteers. Your dedication throughout the year helps us continue the services in McLean County," said Major Laura Leisher on Wednesday at The Salvation Army of Bloomington, 611 W. Washington St.
The goal this year is $670,000 to help meet the increasing needs of more than 13,800 people the local organization serves annually.
Donor relations director Angie Bubon said there is an increasing number of people in the community this year who are being affected by the financial pressures of inflation, food insecurity, unstable housing and personal crises.
Over the past year, The Salvation Army has provided more than 38,000 meals, 19,450 nights of shelter and $122,540 in rent and utility assistance. The nonprofit has provided more than 9,000 people with food in that time, which is up significantly from previous years, and provided Christmas assistance for more than 500 families, Bubon said.
She also noted since the tent encampment next Home Sweet Home Ministries has been cleared out, The Salvation Army has been able to open its doors for more people to stay, and its warming center is open to welcome others inside as the weather grows colder.
"We all feel that many of our neighbors are struggling to make ends meets." Bubon said. "I hear over and over again at the food pantry or in our emergency assistance programs that there are people that say, 'I've never had to do this before. I've never had to come to a pantry before,' so we are feeling it in new ways."
The tradition of the Red Kettle campaign first started in San Francisco in 1891 with Salvation Army Captain Joseph McFee who wanted to provide a Christmas dinner to those struggling in the area so he decided to set up a big pot at a ferry landing where passengers could throw in spare change.
Since then, the Red Kettle campaign has spanned across the country, and locally there are now 18 kettle locations in Bloomington-Normal that rely on over 3,500 hours of volunteer support to make the campaign goal a reality.
Along with the ever-growing needs, The Salvation Army is getting creative with a new special event planned for Black Friday on Nov. 29 where every $20 bill donated will be matched by a donation from American Pest Control.
The organization is also introducing the "Tip Tap" donation mode that allows people to use the tap-to-pay function of their credit or debit cards to make a donation.
Deborah Cole, director of development, said The Salvation Army of Bloomington was selected as one of the first corps in the country to test out the new "Tip Tap" system, which will be moving around various local Red Kettle locations.
Cole also said the organization will post updates on The Salvation Army's Facebook page at facebook.com/SABloomingtonIL to let people know where the tap system will be available on a given day.
"It's the kettles, it's online giving and it's our mail-in donations," Cole said. "We need to raise $670,000, we know it's achievable and we also know it's essential to make sure all the programs that we have keep running."
Detective Martin Krylowicz, with the Bloomington Police Department, said the Red Kettle Campaign is not only significant but a nostalgic way to give back and serve the community.
He was one of several officers from the Bloomington Police Benevolent and Protective Association No. 21 who dressed as the Kenosha Kickers from the "Home Alone" movie and played polka with Eddie Korosa last year to help garner donations for the Red Kettles.
The officers received the inaugural Scott Laughlin Spirit Award for their showmanship last year.
Krylowicz said he did not know there was a spirit award up for grabs, but he was just glad to have a fun group of officers to act silly and spread some holiday cheer.
"It's one of those awards that I wish some other people will want to steal away from us officers," Krylowicz said, adding that he was proud to receive it on behalf of the group and it has sat on his mantel all year. "I think that's the only kind of theft that you could get away with this time, so please take it away from us."
The Salvation Army also announced Scott Miller, radio host of "The Scott Miller Show" on WJBC AM 1230, will be the honorary Christmas campaign chair for the third year in a row.
"Let's leave the world a better place than we found it," said Miller in a prerecorded video since he could not attend the kick-off because he was hosting his radio show. "It's an honor again to bring attention to bell ringing. I can't wait to get involved. I can't wait to encourage you to get involved, and I thank you for listening to me on WJBC and once again thank you for the honor."
Cole said every third Wednesday, members of The Salvation Army go on Miller's show around 8:45 a.m. to share updates.
To donate to the Salvation Army, find Red Kettles across Bloomington-Normal at Blaine's Farm and Fleet, Hobby Lobby, Hy-Vee, Eastland Mall, Jewel-Osco, Kroger, Sam's Club, Schnucks, Walgreens and Walmart.
Campaign donations can also be made at sabloomington.org or by scanning the QR code at the Red Kettle locations.
To sign up as a volunteer and ring bells for the campaign, visit registertoring.com .
Photos: Performances for the USO Review, a Veterans Day tributeEm Irey, Lindi Rardin, Elizabeth Forrest
Julie and Bob Dobski
Miguel Patino-Diaz
Elizabeth Forrest
Cohen Boyd
Holiday Spectacular Executive Producer Marcia Basolo
Lindi Rardin, Anthony Burcham
Miguel Patino-Diaz
Em Irey
Em Irey, Cohen Boyd
Elizabeth Forrest
Anthony Burcham, Lindi Rardin, Miguel Patino-Diaz, Elizabeth Forrest, Em Irey, Cohen Boyd
Sandra Underwood
Sandra Underwood
Fred Render
Amy Rardin
Amy Rardin
Amy Rardin, Julie and Bob Dobski
Mark Segobiano
Christie Vellella
Christie Vellella
Christie Vellella, Fred Render
Kenny Prince
Kim Matlock
Mark Segobiano, Brian Pihl, Fred Render, Kenny Prince
Brian Pihl and the Holiday Spectacular Ensemble
The Holiday Spectacular Ensemble
Contact Mateusz Janik at (309) 820-3234. Follow Mateusz on Love
Government Reporter
