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Salvation Army working to close kettle campaign gap

Nearly four weeks into the Salvation Army’s five and a half week-long Red Kettle Campaign, donations reached $14,204 — about 28% of the annual $50,000 goal. However, Major Christina Ramirez was pleased to report on Monday that at the end of the campaign on Dec. 24, “We made it to $43,010.”

Ramirez said, “We definitely had more volunteers than we’ve ever had at the kettle, which is helpful because then we’re not paying as many people, which helps more people locally.” This year, the Dunkirk organization only hired three people, compared to last year’s eight paid kettle workers.

“I don’t mind paying a few people, especially people on a fixed income who could really use a little extra money around the holidays,” said Ramirez. “But we’re just trying to work this into an all-volunteer system if we can, so that we can help more people.”

This year’s campaign began on Nov. 15, 2019, with volunteers at seven locations including all of the area Tops Friendly Markets, Big Lots, Cassadaga Shur-Fine and Walmart. “We had volunteers from all over: local churches, local groups like the Rotary Club, families, individuals, Boys Scouts, Girl Scouts and several veterans who come and pledge their time for the season,” said Ramirez. “We had a flutist this year and a trombone group. I’m so grateful for the great response.”

Ramirez noted that one challenge to meeting the goal is related to spending habits. “More and more people don’t carry cash,” she said. “But this was the first year of us doing Apple Pay or Google Pay, so people could pay right at the kettle from their phone.”

Indeed, 2019 was the first year in the Red Kettle Campaign’s 129-year history that a non-cash donation option became available at kettles nationwide. Kettles included a tag containing a microchip that allowed donors to tap their cell phone to the tag and choose from suggested donations or type in a different amount.

Other boosts to this year’s local campaign included a toy drive and 24-hour kettle drive at Walmart and special kettle events at Valu Home Center and Central Vibez in Dunkirk. In addition to a kettle bell outside their Central Avenue business, Central Vibez held a toy drive and partnered with a local photograph, who took professional holiday photos of all families who donated a toy at the Dec. 14 event.

The surge of volunteers, special events and new non-cash donation option made 2019 a stand-out year, though there is still a gap that Ramirez hopes to close. “Last year, we were down from the year before by about $11,000,” she told the OBSERVER. “From last year to this year, we were up about $4,000. The community really pitched in! We’re almost $7,000 short of our goal this year, but we’re planning a fundraiser this month to help.”

On Thursday, Jan. 30, the Salvation Army of Dunkirk is hosting its first ever “Chili Bowl Cook-Off” from 5 to 7 p.m. at its 704 Central Avenue building. Like the money raised during the Red Kettle campaign, all proceeds will support the local organization’s general budget, which assists local families during the holidays and year ’round through the after-school program, food pantry, summer camp and more.

Registration is free, and there is a grand prize of pizza and wings for the winner’s Super Bowl party this year. The event, which takes place in the Salvation Army’s gymnasium, also includes a “foul shot” contest with prizes, face painting, desserts, beverages, a silent auction and a craft show. Tickets will be sold at the door for just $1 and can be used to purchase everything except silent auction and vendor items. Vendors are already signing up; Ramirez is looking forward to hosting Desserts by Nancy, a clay jewelry artist, and a vendor who specializes in crocheted items for children. Those who are interested in becoming a vendor, donating items for the silent auction or registering for the chili cook-off should stop in or call the Salvation Army at 366-3701.

“We’re trying to develop some fundraisers throughout the year that we can build on so that we’re not relying on the Red Kettle campaign as much,” Ramirez explained. “This is our first event like this, and people are really coming together. I’m really grateful for the community’s support throughout the kettle campaign and all year.”

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