This year’s Red Kettle campaign will last from Nov. 29 to Dec. 24 and there will be 10 locations for people to donate in the area.
Ryan Ray, the director of development for the Springfield Salvation Army, said his organization hopes to raise over $100,000 this year and will be accepting Apple Pay and Google Pay for the first time at its donation sites.
MORE: Clark State to host multiple college presidents to share expertise in new series
“The codes that they need will be on the signs and they will be able to scan that and pay via their phones. A lot of people don’t carry cash or coin anymore, so this will allow them to donate,” Ray said.
“They are doing this in a lot of the big cities, and it’s working beautifully. We are hoping that it will maybe give (our campaign) a boost and we will see how it works,” he added.
Money collected from the campaign supports a variety of programs, some of which provide activities and other assistance for children in the county, Ray said.
The luncheon saw over 300 people in attendance, which included representatives from community organizations, small businesses as well as elected officials. Ray said they are hoping to raise around $50,000 from the luncheon itself.
“We hope that people understand that these red kettles are just a vehicle to bring help to the community and those that need it the most. That is all that these red kettles are,” he said.
The agency provides activities including a camp for children with disabilities, a tae kwon do program, music lessons and and programs for at-risk youth, the News-Sun reported.
Rick Lloyd, the master of the Salvation Army’s Springfield Mudokwan Taekwondo, received one of the organization’s most prestigious honors alongside his wife Tarole on Friday. They both received the Other’s Award, in dedication to their years of helping the students they teach.
MORE: Springfield named to list of top 20 hottest real estate markets
This year's Red Kettle campaign in Clark County will also honor Springfield native Derrick Fudge, who had been a bell ringer at Kroger on South Limestone for several years before he was killed in the Oregon District mass shooting earlier this year.
There will be a special kettle at Fudge’s usual post at the South Limestone Kroger. It will have a large sign with his picture and the words, ‘In Loving Memory — Derrick Fudge.’
Last year’s campaign generated about $100,000 to support the 10 programs in the area that are administered by the Salvation Army.
“What should be noted is that 82 cents of every dollar you put in that kettle goes right to the programming in Clark County,” Ray said. “The things that impact at risk youth, homeless men in the shelter, our social services and various other programs, 82% of the kettle total goes right into everything that makes this community better.”
The Salvation Army is looking for volunteer groups to work the kettles and those interested can contact the organization at 937-322-3434.
“We are always desperately looking for help with the kettles,” Ray said.
About the Author