Salvation Army's red kettles to return to Washtenaw County for holiday season, volunteers sought
The Salvation Army of Washtenaw County will kick off the giving season with an event at Briarwood Mall Friday.
The iconic red kettles and bell ringers will make their first appearance at the "Santa set" in front of Macy's department store at noon. The Salvation Army of Washtenaw County aims to raise $300,000 during this year's campaign to help meet what it says has been a "drastic increase in demand for services," according to a news release.
Shoppers can drop donations in red kettles at any of 49 locations throughout Washtenaw County through Dec. 24, excluding Sundays and Thanksgiving.
No cash on hand? Secure credit card donations will be accepted at kettles at Walmart and Sam's Club in Saline beginning Nov. 26, said spokeswoman Angela Hernandez.
On average, 82 cents of every dollar donated helps provide critical services for those in need. Donations fund food pantries and soup kitchens and provide clothing, family shelter, transitional housing, counseling for veterans, emergency relief and youth programs.
Debra Molitor, development director for the Salvation Army of Washtenaw County, said donations also help fund the holiday assistance offered to people in need. On Dec. 20 and 21, the Salvation Army will provide food, clothing, children's toys and family games to those who need them. So far, she says, 775 people have signed up for holiday assistance.
She said the Salvation Army of Washtenaw County also assists people in paying utility bills and rental security deposits.
The Salvation Army will have red kettles at 49 locations in Washtenaw County this holiday season.
Volunteer bell ringers work shifts four hours long. Each location has three shifts a day. About 2,000 volunteers will be needed this season.
Volunteer to be a bell ringer on the agency's website.
Heather Lockwood is a reporter for AnnArbor.com. Reach her at heatherlockwood@annarbor.com or follow her on Twitter.
Comments
breadman
Thu, Nov 11, 2010 : 3:56 p.m.
So glad bell ringers are not allowed in front of Meijers! As a pass bell ringer that other person is 100% right on how they treat there bell ringers. Many(few)years back they had a very good organized system that they did. But I will never beable to tell that lady's name on the internet. This lady would drive around and do bell ringing for your so you could take a break. I just want to say Salvation Army has gone down hill. And they do get out side help that the public does not know about.
Macabre Sunset
Wed, Nov 10, 2010 : 10:51 p.m.
Can you print a list of the 49 locations in the county that will use bell-ringers so we can plan to shop elsewhere? Surely there are charities that are less aggressive about getting attention, and focus more on helping the poor than trumpeting their own existence.
pbehjatnia
Wed, Nov 10, 2010 : 9:29 p.m.
My comment was removed? Seriously? It was not off topic, it was wholly on topic. My experience as a bell ringer volunteer for the Ann Arbor SA was horrible. This was due solely to the actions of the SA admin, Debra Molitor. People considering volunteering have a right to know just how bad the SA experience can be.
fremdfirma
Wed, Nov 10, 2010 : 7:30 p.m.
I completely agree, Macabre - and do the same myself! While I do have some other disagreements with the SA, these days anyone willing to help the down and out is much welcome, but I find those bells every bit as annoying as the "boom cars" and other auditory assaults, and their placement a form of harrassment. In fact, I consider them the living, breathing version of pop-up ads that block your web-browsing, take over your speakers and scream advertisements at you - only there's no pop-up blocker for real life, is there? Any business tolerating this will find my presence, and my money, absent from their premises for the duration.
Macabre Sunset
Wed, Nov 10, 2010 : 6:04 p.m.
And thus begins my annual boycott of any business that allows a bell-ringer to block its entrance. Can't they be silent? It's not like we don't know what they want.