The holiday season just doesn’t have that same old ring to it, as the local Salvation Army sees it.
The charitable organization would like to see that change.
As always, The Salvation Army’s Red Kettle Campaign in Jackson County began Black Friday and runs through Dec. 24.
A year ago, the campaign raised $22,144.55.
That’s below the annual $25,000 goal, said Missy Woods, who represents The Salvation Army in Jackson County.
There also can be issues with finding enough volunteers to ring the bells at times, she said.
In Jackson County, The Salvation Army’s red kettles can only be found at the two main entrances to Walmart in Seymour. And those kettles are only manned from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday in the weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas.
It still, however, can be hard to find someone to ring the bells at times throughout the holidays, Woods said. When the bells aren’t ringing, people aren’t dropping money into the red kettles.
Money from the campaign allows the Christian church and social service agency to help the less fortunate in a variety of ways.
All of the money collected through the campaign here goes directly to any of the causes that help with unmet needs of people in the community, Woods said.
The money brought in before Christmas is meant to fund programs throughout the year. The Salvation Army is involved in a variety of local efforts, including food pantries, recovery programs and family assistance. Plus, it funds summer camps for needy area youngsters. On the national level, the organization is one of the lead agencies in disaster relief.
The Salvation Army does not have any administrative costs in Jackson County. Even Woods, who is the full-time director of Human Services Inc. in Jackson County, is a volunteer.
Volunteers can be individuals or groups, so shifts of varying lengths can be arranged to meet busy schedules.
The Red Kettle Campaign is the group’s primary and most public fundraising effort.
But to help fill the kettles, The Salvation Army needs bell ringers. So if you have a couple of hours to spare this holiday season, thousands of Indiana residents — including many here in Jackson County — could use your help.
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To volunteer as a Salvation Army bell ringer, visit registertoring.com or call Missy Woods at 812-522-8718 or 812-525-7063.
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The Red Kettle Campaign is The Salvation Army’s largest fundraising effort, but a shortage of volunteers leaves the bells silent at the one collection site in Jackson County.
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By volunteering as bell ringers, members of the community can help the charity meet its goal.
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