Red Kettles Not Yet Full: Salvation Army Corps Short Of $190K Fundraising Goal
December 21, 2017
· By ELLIE POTTER Daily News-Record
The Salvation Army Harrisonburg Corps is $65,000 short of its fundraising goal for the year.
HARRISONBURG — The Salvation Army Harrisonburg Corps’ red kettles are not as full or well-staffed this year.
The nonprofit is $65,000 short of its $190,000 fundraising goal, with only three more days to come up with funds for its services and programs throughout the year, said Capt. John Blevins, who leads the local corps.
The kettle ringers will lay down their bells Saturday evening.
While many other Salvation Army chapters pay people to collect for their kettles, the Harrisonburg organization, which serves the city and Rockingham County, has had enough volunteers in the past to collect donations from early November until Christmas Eve.
But the local organization has struggled to recruit volunteers the last few years, Blevins said. This year, the nonprofit opted to begin its collections on Nov. 16, 12 days later than normal.
Ashley Gordon-Becker, director of development for the local corps, said she hoped the shorter period would keep the smaller group of volunteers from burning out before Christmas. But it may have had unintended consequences.
“We’re seeing that starting two weeks late has probably hurt us,” she said. “We’ve also just seen a greater need this year than in years past.”
The kettle money supports all the organization’s programs, Blevins said, including its 64-bed shelter that houses people every night, the pantry that provides food for about 300 families a month, and utility assistance for area families.
He estimated the local corps helps more than 10,000 community members a year.
“That money that we raise at Christmas in the red kettle actually supports us not just at Christmas but the entire year,” he said. “If we don’t make that goal, then all of those other programs are in jeopardy to one degree or another.”
Blevins thinks people in the community may feel slightly tapped this year, given the number of hurricane relief fundraisers after storms decimated parts of Texas, Florida, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands earlier this year.
Blevins hopes people rally behind the Salvation Army this week, noting the community has always stepped up to help in the past.
“We’re trusting in the goodness of the community and generosity,” Blevins said, “and we’re really hoping to have a strong final push for these last three days.”
On Saturday, donations will count for twice as much. That day, Skyline Roofing and Stone Hill Construction, both of Rockingham County, will match donations up to $4,000, Blevins said.
Kettle donations are being accepted at most locations between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. Those locations include the Walmart stores on Port Republic Road, Va. 42 and Burgess Road, as well as the Shenandoah Heritage Market, Dayton Market, Bridgewater Foods, Red Front Supermarket, the Kroger and ABC store on East Market Street, Hobby Lobby and two locations in the Valley Mall.
To volunteer, email ringtoraise@gmail.com. Donations can also be mailed to 185 Ashby Ave., Harrisonburg, VA 22802.
Contact Ellie Potter at 574-6286 or epotter@dnronline.com
The Salvation Army Harrisonburg Corps is $65,000 short of its fundraising goal for the year.
The nonprofit is $65,000 short of its $190,000 fundraising goal, with only three more days to come up with funds for its services and programs throughout the year, said Capt. John Blevins, who leads the local corps.
The kettle ringers will lay down their bells Saturday evening.
While many other Salvation Army chapters pay people to collect for their kettles, the Harrisonburg organization, which serves the city and Rockingham County, has had enough volunteers in the past to collect donations from early November until Christmas Eve.
But the local organization has struggled to recruit volunteers the last few years, Blevins said. This year, the nonprofit opted to begin its collections on Nov. 16, 12 days later than normal.
Ashley Gordon-Becker, director of development for the local corps, said she hoped the shorter period would keep the smaller group of volunteers from burning out before Christmas. But it may have had unintended consequences.
“We’re seeing that starting two weeks late has probably hurt us,” she said. “We’ve also just seen a greater need this year than in years past.”
The kettle money supports all the organization’s programs, Blevins said, including its 64-bed shelter that houses people every night, the pantry that provides food for about 300 families a month, and utility assistance for area families.
He estimated the local corps helps more than 10,000 community members a year.
“That money that we raise at Christmas in the red kettle actually supports us not just at Christmas but the entire year,” he said. “If we don’t make that goal, then all of those other programs are in jeopardy to one degree or another.”
Blevins thinks people in the community may feel slightly tapped this year, given the number of hurricane relief fundraisers after storms decimated parts of Texas, Florida, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands earlier this year.
Blevins hopes people rally behind the Salvation Army this week, noting the community has always stepped up to help in the past.
“We’re trusting in the goodness of the community and generosity,” Blevins said, “and we’re really hoping to have a strong final push for these last three days.”
On Saturday, donations will count for twice as much. That day, Skyline Roofing and Stone Hill Construction, both of Rockingham County, will match donations up to $4,000, Blevins said.
Kettle donations are being accepted at most locations between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. Those locations include the Walmart stores on Port Republic Road, Va. 42 and Burgess Road, as well as the Shenandoah Heritage Market, Dayton Market, Bridgewater Foods, Red Front Supermarket, the Kroger and ABC store on East Market Street, Hobby Lobby and two locations in the Valley Mall.
To volunteer, email ringtoraise@gmail.com. Donations can also be mailed to 185 Ashby Ave., Harrisonburg, VA 22802.
Contact Ellie Potter at 574-6286 or epotter@dnronline.com
