December 14, 2020 at 1:43 p.m.
'The need is going to be great or greater than it has ever been before'
Rhinelander Salvation Army continues red kettle campaign
'The need is going to be great or greater than it has ever been before'
By Stephanie Kuski-
The Rhinelander Salvation Army will continue to collect funds through the end of the year to benefit area individuals in need. Without a doubt, the months-long pandemic has increased the level of need in our community, so the ringers come at a crucial time.
"Certainly this year with the pandemic and all the unemployment, we're anticipating the need is going to be great or greater than it has ever been before," Rhinelander kettle coordinator Tom Jerow said. "I think a lot of people can understand being a paycheck away from not being able to pay the rent."
But even so, Jerow noted the number of bell ringers is down across the region due to COVID-related concerns. Without bell ringers arming the red kettles, there is concern the organization will have difficulty meeting their fundraising goal this year.
"Bell ringing is down, and it is all over the place," Jerow said. "It's really hard to know where we're at at any given point, just because there's always money coming in. But we anticipate, just because we're not filling shifts, that we're going to be down."
There's still time to support the cause, however, and Jerow noted a number of ways to get involved.
Of course, the Rhinelander Salvation Army is in need of bell ringers and those interested can sign up by visiting https://www.registertoring.com/ and searching for your location. The red kettles are located at Walmart and Trig's this year. Bell ringers will be stationed outdoors for 90-minute shifts, masks will be required and sanitation supplies will be available.
Jerow noted bell ringers are an important facet of the donation collection process, since it calls patrons' attention to the red kettle. He said volunteers can help collect upwards of $100 in a bell ringing shift, so the effort pays off.
But in a year plagued with financial instability, Jerow said patrons shouldn't feel guilty walking by the kettle without contributing if funds are tight this year. But even a pocketful of change can make all the difference, because those cents add up.
"Not everybody has an extra $5, $10 or $20 to give to the Salvation Army," Jerow said. "But everybody can find a quarter under their seat in the car... and all of that does add up."
For virtual shoppers looking to donate to the red kettle, Jerow noted Walmart affords customers the option to add $1 to their bill when checking out online to support the local Salvation Army.
Walmart and the Salvation Army have also partnered to host Angel Trees at Walmart stores across the country, including Rhinelander. Those interested can drop off presents at Walmart and toys will be distributed to area youth in need through the Salvation Army.
Instead of donating in-person, individuals can also donate monetarily to the virtual red kettle by visiting https://give.salvationarmy.org/campaign/the-salvation-army-virtual-red-kettle/ and entering your zip code. Alternatively, checks can be mailed to P.O. Box 1081 Salvation Army, Rhinelander, WI 54501.
Those who donate $25 or more will receive a Salvation Army button. This way, those who have already donated will receive a "button pass," as Jerow puts it, so individuals don't feel pressure to donate every time they walk by a red kettle.
The Rhinelander Salvation Army is also participating in "Flocking with the Kettle," in which interested individuals can donate $25 to send a flock of eight flamingos to roost in a friend's, neighbor's or business's yard. "Flocking insurance" can also be purchased for $50 to ensure one's yard does not get flocked. For more information, visit https://thesalvationarmywi.regfox.com/rhinelander-flocking-with-the-kettle.
Area businesses are also getting involved in supporting the cause. Jerow noted some local businesses opt to donate a portion of their profits for the day, while others will incentivize their employees to sign up for bell ringing shifts.
Donations to the Rhinelander Salvation Army will be accepted until January, although the red kettles come down on Christmas Eve.
Eighty-six percent of the funds donated to the Rhinelander Salvation Army will stay within the community to benefit individuals in need of temporary emergency services. The other 14 percent aids national disaster relief efforts to support individuals in need of immediate emergency response.
The donations collected throughout the holiday season not only provides gifts to less fortunate children in our area, but those funds also provide year-round support to members of the community in need of emergency assistance.
Jerow noted local funds are distributed through an organization called ACES, or Area Churches for Emergency Support, which provides assistance to individuals in need by helping pay for basic expenses like food, clothing, rent, utility bills or car payments. They also help house individuals seeking emergency shelter and provide resources to local organizations like the Rhinelander Area Food Pantry (RAFP) and Northwoods Alliance for Temporary Housing (NATH)-Frederick Place.
In the past 30 years Jerow has been volunteering with the Rhinelander Salvation Army, he said he's heard a number of heartwarming stories by members of the community who received assistance from the Salvation Army.
"People will come up and they'll tell me a story about how they were helped last year or many years ago," Jerow commented. "You get the older folks telling the story of how they got food and an orange for Christmas meal, something that was really special... The other thing I hear at the bucket every year from people is the veterans."
Although the Salvation Army dates back to 1865 when it was established as a religious organization supporting the less fortunate in London, during World War I the Salvation Army actually went into the trenches to serve soldiers a hot meal. Today, the organization continues to support veterans and other members of the community in need without discrimination.
"They have a reputation of helping people without judgement," Jerow noted. "Whoever you are, wherever you are in life's journey, they are there to help you through that tough patch."
For more information about the Salvation Army, visit https://www.salvationarmyusa.org/usn/ and search for your zip code, or follow Rhinelander Salvation Army on Facebook.
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