Red alert: Kettle campaign needs help to reach goal

Donations and bell ringers are both needed before the fundraising drive wraps up on Christmas.

The final days of the Red Kettle Campaign are approaching, and the Mon Valley Salvation Army is asking for help to achieve its target.

Capt. Kara Martin said they’ve raised around $40,000 out of their $60,000 goal, and they hope to reach at least $50,000 before the campaign ends on Christmas.

“Every single dollar counts,” Martin said. “We collect, not for ourselves, but for the community. We are a nonprofit, so everything that comes in goes right back out to the community throughout the year, through programs, food pantries, our kids’ programs and just the general activities that we do all year here. We do utility assistance, rent assistance, and we can’t do that without the help of the community.”

Red Kettle bell ringers can be found at the Rostraver Township Walmart and other businesses throughout the Valley. Donations can also be made online at https:// easternusa.salvationarmy. org/western-pennsylvania/ MonValley. Checks made out to “Salvation Army Mon Valley” can be dropped off at the Donora location at 800 Thompson Ave.

Anyone with questions about how to donate can contact Martin at kara.martin@ use.salvationarmy.org or call 724-684-4282.

Anybody who wants to volunteer to be a bell ringer can sign up through the website or contact Martin via email.

Additional volunteers are needed during the final days of the campaign, and Martin asked anyone with interest to reach out.

“We do have spaces for volunteers,” she said. “We usually look for groups because they last longer in the daytime, rather than just two hours. If any groups want to put in a last-minute bell ringing, we’re open for that.”

On average, one two-hour volunteer shift raises $80 to $100 — enough to provide up to 200 warm meals to a neighbor in need, according to the Salvation Army of Western Pennsylvania.

Tyrik Davis was volunteering as a bell ringer Wednesday at Walmart, and he’s been helping out since he was a teenager. Davis emphasized the importance of what the Mon Valley Salvation Army does for its community.

“It’s just wonderful to see people give to the less fortunate that we help,” David said. “We help kids who are less fortunate when they’re in situations. We help them with money raised through the kettles, and they’re (community) helping us by helping them.”

Donations can also be made at any time by texting the word “Kettle” to 31333. Donors can then reply with their ZIP code to ensure each donation goes directly back into the community where they reside.

“It is the most wonderful time of the year and the most critical time of year for The Salvation Army,” said Maj. Marcus Jugenheimer, divisional commander for the Salvation Army of Western Pennsylvania. “With only one week to go, more than a million dollars is still needed to ensure our programs can continue across our region.

“For more than 160 years, The Salvation Army has served as a critical safety net for those in need. Our work will not stop, but without support, we cannot continue to meet immediate needs in our communities.”