BROWN COUNTY, WI (WTAQ) – The Salvation Army Red Kettle campaign is already facing an uphill battle amid the COVID-19 pandemic, even before officially kicking things off on Tuesday.
The organization’s biggest annual fundraiser will be seeing some changes.
“This is going to be anything but a typical Christmas season for us,” said Community Relations Coordinator Nicole Hanley. “We know that there are going to be some challenges that we’re facing. There’s going to be fewer kettles out in the community, there’s going to be hesitation for people signing up to ring bells.”
There’s even the possibility of a cash and coin shortage making things worse. But there are also plans to make it easier, and more comfortable for some, to donate or volunteer.
“All of our bell-ringers are going to be following COVID protocols,” Hanley told WTAQ News. “They’re going to be required to wear masks out at the kettles, they’re going to be distanced six feet away from the kettle while they ring, and all of the equipment will be sanitized daily.”
For those who still aren’t ready to risk that interaction, but still want to help out, there are other options.
“If people maybe aren’t comfortable going out to the kettle to ring bells this season, we can help them set up a personal peer-to-peer fundraiser where they can ring from home,” Hanley said.
Meanwhile, the financial goal hasn’t changed.
“We know that we need to raise the same amount of money so that we can continue to provide the same programming and services that we would provide,” Hanley explained. “We’ve actually seen an increase in demand for things like our lunch program and our food pantry. So on top of fundraising normal service that we provide, it’s that increased demand that we expect to continue into 2021 that we still have to provide for.”
A kickoff event will be held at the Festival Foods on University Avenue starting at 10:00 AM on Tuesday. It will feature a program with local leaders and speakers, which will be followed by a drive-thru donation collection and bell-ringing effort until 6:00 PM.
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