By Pepper Fisher
PORT ANGELES – We reported last week that the local Salvation Army was experiencing a troubling fundraising season this year, having raised only one tenth of the donations it would need for the holiday season and other services they provide to local families.
We thought it was worth a follow-up story, and contacted Salvation Army Col. Cindy Foley for an update on the fundraising numbers, and how residents can help. Foley said she was happy to report the total donations had more than doubled since our story last week.
“So now, as of last night, they’ve raised $9,300. So, thank the listeners. “Hey everybody. Thanks for coming.” But we still basically need to raise about another $28,000 to get us to the total, and this is the week primarily that people are very generous. So one of the challenges in doing it is they’re run a little short in volunteers this year.”
By volunteers she means bell ringers, but they’ve made it easier than ever to help.
“We have a new platform this year called Register To Ring. So people can go right to Register To Ring, put in the zip code where they are, find a kettle location, and sign up for a two hour shift. Or, when possible, if people can take a whole day, share it with their friends and family, or their co-workers. An interesting fact is, a volunteer bell ringer raises, on average, 75% more in their kettle than when we put a paid bell ringer out”
Another issue contributing to the shortfall is the perception among many people that it takes cash to donate to those familiar Red Kettles. Let’s face it, who carries cash anymore? But they have a solution for that, too.
“You can put cash in a kettle or, with your phone, there’s a QR code right on the kettle stand, and you can scan that picture and you can make a digital donation from your phone when you’re right there at the storefront. Or, if you don’t see a kettle in your area, or you just want to do it from home, you can go to northwest.salvationarmy.org, and you can make a contribution. And I can guarantee you that every dollar of your contribution will stay right in the Port Angeles area helping your neighbors in need.”
Make a difference in the lives of 500 families this holiday season in Clallam County by going to northwest.salvationarmy.org.