Salvation Army launches Virtual Red Kettles one month before traditional bell ringers hit stores and street corners
According to a statement from the Salvation Army, “Local online fundraisers play a crucial role in helping families from falling deeper into poverty due to the continued pandemic.”
The Salvation Army launched its local Virtual Red Kettles Oct. 15, aimed at raising critical funds to help families in need. The online fundraisers are going live one month before traditional bell ringers and iconic red kettles start showing up in front of stores and businesses. This is so the nonprofit can raise enough donations to keep families from falling deeper into poverty due to the pandemic. Funds given will serve the most vulnerable – without discrimination and regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, or gender orientation – in local communities throughout Northern California and Northern Nevada.
The Salvation Army first launched Virtual Red Kettles last Christmas during the pandemic. Local communities were incredibly supportive of the new way to help their neighbors in need, donating more than $340,000. The Salvation Army hopes this support will continue as it works tirelessly to keep families in their homes and off the streets.
At VirtualRedKettle.org, donors can find links to all of the communities in which The Salvation Army has a presence throughout the Del Oro Division. The Del Oro Division covers all of Northern California and Northern Nevada. Clicking on a city or county name takes you to a location’s Virtual Red Kettle. Each location has a custom web address, i.e. RenoRedKettle.org or SactoRedKettle.org.
There are giving levels that show how your donation can impact real lives. For example, a gift of $20 provides a toy for two children at Christmas. A gift of $100 provides three people with a warm place to sleep for the night. Donations given to a particular location stay in that community.
Last holiday season, The Salvation Army provided more than 150,000 gifts to children, more than 88,000 meals to families and individuals, and provided assistance to more than 113,000 people throughout the Del Oro Division. This was made possible through generous donations to Virtual Red Kettles, traditional kettles and with the help of amazing volunteers. The Salvation Army will need thousands of volunteers throughout the region to help ring bells, pack food boxes, sort toy donations and more. Sign up to become a volunteer at Volunteer.USAWest.org.
About The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army annually helps more than 23 million Americans overcome poverty, addiction and economic hardships through a range of social services. By providing food for the hungry, emergency relief for disaster survivors, rehabilitation for those suffering from drug and alcohol abuse, and clothing and shelter for people in need, The Salvation Army is doing the most good at 7,600 centers of operation around the country. In the first-ever listing of “America’s Favorite Charities” by The Chronicle of Philanthropy, The Salvation Army ranked as the country’s largest privately funded, direct-service nonprofit.
For more information, visit GoSalArmy.org. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram at @SalArmyDelOro and on Facebook at The Salvation Army of Northern California.
