Red Kettles Expand Presence Online, At Retailers
The National Online Red Kettle Campaign was launched yesterday, expanding efforts to help the 34 million needy Americans this Christmas.
The Salvation Army has brought their familiar red kettles to the online market with America's largest retailer, Wal-Mart.
The National Online Red Kettle Campaign was launched yesterday, expanding efforts to help the 34 million needy Americans this Christmas. And for the first time, The Salvation Army has now made it easier this year for both shoppers and organizations to enter the season of giving through the "Electronic Red Kettle" campaign. Those who are looking for channels to provide a joyful Christmas for poor families can host their own kettle campaign on their websites.
"We're making it easier for the growing numbers of people shopping and paying bills online to help the growing numbers of Americans in need of hope this holiday season," said Major George Hood, National Community Relations Secretary for The Salvation Army, in a released statement. "Funds donated to Red Kettles benefit people recovering from all kinds of personal disasters, ranging from unanticipated home heating costs to the loss of a job, more than any other social services charity."
Get Our Latest News for FREE
Shoppers will still see the more-than-a-century old tradition of bell ringers in front of thousands of stores, but this year, the bell sounds are being heard early. Wal-Mart and SAM'S CLUB stores had traditionally brought out the kettles after Thanksgiving as do most retailers, but this time the 3,800 stores and locations are looking to double the number of days they collect donations across the nation. The campaign kicks off today even before the national kettle kick-off in Dallas on Thanksgiving Day.
"We and The Salvation Army both focus our efforts on directly helping those in need in our local communities,' said Betsy Reithemeyer, vice president of corporate affairs and executive director of the Wal-Mart & SAM’S CLUB Foundation, according to The Salvation Army release. "We decided early this fall that increasing the opportunities for kettle donations at our stores and online, will certainly help reach more people in need this year.”
"Our Red Kettle campaign is critical to our annual fund raising," said Hood, “and because of the many challenges we face this year, we are thrilled to be out much earlier in front of Wal-Mart and SAM’S CLUB locations and that they also offer online shoppers a new way to give.
Last year, The Salvation Army's red kettle campaign raised over $100 million in communities nationwide with $17 million from Wal-Mart locations. Collected funds helped support the 37 million people in poverty with food, toys, utility and homeless assistance, senior and child care, drug abuse treatment and other social service needs.
Joint efforts between the Christian organization and the large retailer are also supporting hurricane recovery efforts in the U.S. Gulf Coast. In December, The Salvation Army and 10 Wal-Mart stores, along with other local businesses and community leaders, will begin a Bike Tour where participants will bike through Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana to raise funds for the storm victims. The funds will be directed toward providing bikes for Gulf Coast kids over the holidays with the goal of purchasing the largest number of bikes every provided for a cause.
To make a red kettle donation, visit www.salvationarmyusa.org or www.walmart.com
