What to know about the Salvation Army Waukesha's Red Kettle Campaign and its $880,000 goal

WAUKESHA - The sound, of course, had a familiar ring, but the blast of wind instruments drove the point home more boisterously: the Salvation Army's bell-ringing season had begun.

On Friday, the Salvation Army Waukesha kicked off its Red Kettle campaign with a ceremony featuring the Salvation Army Band playing while invited guests rang miniature bells outside the front entrance of Woodman's Food Market in Waukesha.

Naturally, the annual Red Kettle campaign isn't unique to Waukesha County, given that the national organization has made such collections — featuring the namesake crimson containers — a Christmas tradition that became a pop-culture mainstay more than a century ago. However, each chapter promotes its own efforts, which are key to funding its local programs. The Salvation Army of Waukesha County is no different. Here's what you should know.

Red kettles can be found at many popular business establishments This year, the Salvation Army has 44 Waukesha County locations spanning from Oconomowoc to Brookfield. Depending on the location, bell ringers can be found outside the front doors or inside a foyer area by the doors. The locations include Albrecht's Sentry, Blain's Farm & Fleet, Fleet Farm, Hobby Lobby, J.C. Penney (Brookfield Square), Pick 'n Save/Metro Market, Piggly Wiggly, Sam's Club, Walmart and Woodman's.

The organization has been able to stretch itself a little farther this season. Josh Pham, the organization's grants and fundraising specialist, said the six Sendik's locations in Waukesha County associated with the Balistreri family agreed to allow bell ringers on site this year after a test run at two locations last season.

Donations can now be made electronically at red kettles The organization has also made it easier for people to donate if they are short on spare cash, said Maj. Victor Stasiuc, who this year took over the reins of the local organization.

A new "Tap to Give" display adjacent to the cash kettles allows donors to use their chip-equipped credit cards and their mobile device wallets to make donations electronically, Pham said, noting the importance of the convenience on his fundraising efforts.

As usual, donations can also be made electronically online through the Salvation Army Waukesha's website, using the donation tab . That feature allows PayPal and Venmo transactions, as well.

Bell ringers aren't just for decoration The bell ringers, mostly volunteers, who work alongside the kettles are a key component in a successful fundraising season, officials say. But, for the past few years , bell ringers have been hard to round up to staff all locations during regular business hours. The problem seemed to be made worse during the COVID pandemic and resulting labor shortage, as has previously been reported .

That's a problem because, historically, unmanned kettles draw far fewer donations than those accompanied by bell ringers. How big a difference? Enough to make reaching its annual donation goal difficult. This year's goal, $880,000, is the same as 2023, Pham said. About half of that comes from red kettle donations directly.

The organization is always seeking bell ringers. Those interested can sign up on the organization's website.

Red kettle donations help fund homeless shelters, food pantry and more Donations go toward the organization's mission, the most critical of which is the homeless shelter at the main headquarters at 445 Madison St. in downtown Waukesha. It's a place that becomes busier as the weather cools this time of year. (It provides safe lodging for up to 32 homeless men per night year-round.)

In addition to the shelter, the organization offers a large food pantry, hot community meals and its Feed The Kids program. It also employs its mobile canteen ― a full-service mobile kitchen ― for emergencies, including residential fires and weather disasters. The organization received grant money to cover most of the cost of a new canteen, which was unveiled in October.

Salvation Army Waukesha also offers scholarships to a rural, lakeside residential camp; runs both women and youth ministries; operates the Angel Tree and Toy Program for families in need; and offers weekly Christian education and worship services.

Kickoff event notes local organization's 130th anniversary and mission A side note to the Nov. 15 Red Kettle Campaign kickoff was a nod to the Salvation Army Waukesha's long history.

"Since 1894, the Salvation Army of Waukesha has been serving this community, helping anyone who is in crisis or living in poverty," Pham said at the event. "The homeless, the hungry, men, women, families — they all come to us reaching out for help and assistance, and we freely give.

"Why do we do that? We do it because our mission is to serve all who come to us for help without discrimination, and we do that because we do it for the glory of our Lord, Jesus Christ."

Contact reporter Jim Riccioli at .