Editorial: Behind on donations, consider giving to Salvation Army’s Red Kettle campaign

Published 2:24 pm Monday, December 18, 2017

The local Salvation Army relies heavily on your generosity during the holiday season.

Donations through the organization’s annual Red Kettle campaign fund many of the programs The Salvation Army provides throughout the year. Those donations provide meals and shelter for those in need, character-building programs for children and a number of other services to people in our community.

Due to unseasonably frigid weather — with an unexpected early season snow —and a shortened campaign, The Salvation Army’s donations this year are tracking down about 15 percent than what is needed.

“I am very concerned about the lost kettle days this year and how this will impact our ability to help those who are hurting,” Maj. Douglas McClure said. “The red kettles are a symbol of giving and represent a tradition of caring that is passed down from generation to generation. We’re hoping that shoppers will remember their neighbors in need when they see a Salvation Army bell ringer in the community during the coming two weeks and be as generous as they can to help.”

Salvation Army bell ringers are posted in the Dalton area at Food City, Hobby Lobby, Kmart, Kroger, Walgreens and Wal-Mart. If you’re not shopping at those stores this week, you can donate online at www.redkettlereason.org. Donations can be mailed to 1109 N. Thornton Ave. or called in to (800) SAL-ARMY.

We ask that when you hear the distinct ringing of bells at the familiar red kettles that you dig a little deeper in your pockets this holiday season. The change you give can help change the lives of people in our community.