Ringing in Christmas with Salvation Army’s ‘Our Kettle Campaign’

By Krystal Smalley
ksmalley@wbcowqel.com

It’s a sound that echoes across parking lots and down sidewalk streets. Volunteers and workers stand in front of doors through all weather, ringing a bell and spreading good cheer.

The Salvation Army’s Our Kettle Campaign is well under way and Capt. Annie Buckles of the Bucyrus chapter is excited about the goal she set for the organization this year.

“It’s been a tradition in the Salvation Army since the early 1900s that actually started in California,” explained Buckles.

The idea was to “keep the kettle boiling” by putting in a few coins and dollars. Over a century later, every Salvation Army participates in the program, but the money raised locally stays local.

“Even though this is something nationally the Salvation Army does, this is all local funds,” Buckles said. “It’s basically our biggest fundraiser that we do.”

Buckles was not exaggerating the importance of the fundraiser. Last year the community raised over $28,000 for the Kettle Campaign, $4,000 over the goal Buckles set. Of that amount, $12,136.10 came from local groups volunteering 140.5 hours of their time to ring the bell.

“Sometimes we don’t realize how generous the community is,” Buckles acknowledged.

“Volunteer groups make a huge difference,” she added. “I think when you’re well-known in the community and people know you’re standing with the Salvation Army, they trust you a little bit more and are more willing to give. We see that happen repeatedly.”

She laughed about the rivalry that takes place between the Kiwanis and Rotary clubs every year and even dusted off an old bell trophy to increase the competition this year. The Rotarians will be ringing the bell this weekend and the Kiwanians will take over the duties the following weekend.

Buckles said those Saturdays will be the two biggest days they have all season.

“We’re very blessed because I’ve been in other communities where it’s very difficult to get service clubs, church groups, or companies to stand for you,” Buckles said. “It really hits home how generous this community is this time of year.”

This year, Buckles set the Bucyrus Salvation Army’s Kettle Program goal at $25,000 after taking into account the extra funds raised last year. She acknowledged that so far they are $3,000 behind the goal, but she had faith in the community.

Though volunteers accounted for a large portion of the funds raised, the rest of the money and hours served last year came from the seasonal workers the Salvation Army hired. The reason behind the hires, Buckles explained, is because they often don’t have enough people volunteering throughout the week.

“I know for some people, it’s like, ‘what? You hire people? What do you mean?’” Buckles said. “Well, let me explain that.”

The hires go through a regular job application, a background check, and get paid minimum wage. Buckles said they will hire people who can’t find a job somewhere else or are in a financial place where they might not qualify for assistance.

“What it does, it helps them be self-sufficient for the Christmas season so they’re not actually applying for assistance, which I think is amazing,” Buckles said. “This truly is a hand up to people.”

Four people have been hired so far this season.

Buckles stressed the importance of having the funds stay locally.

“It’s not just Christmas money – this helps us get into the New Year. This is the biggest fundraiser we do,” she said. “This year we’ve struggled a little bit . . . I’m a woman of faith though, so I believe God is going to provide what we need.”

The kettles and bell ringers can be found throughout Bucyrus this Christmas season, though Buckles noted that the most money raised typically comes from the Kroger and Wal-Mart locations. She gave credit to those companies, along with all the other local businesses, that allow the fundraising to take place in front of their storefronts.

Entertaining shoppers while ringing the bell has become a big part of the Kettle Campaign and Buckles encouraged volunteers to do so if the mood struck them – as long as the business did not mind. She admitted to dancing to Mariah Carey while ringing the bell at Times Square in New York – with video evidence on YouTube to prove it.

Any individuals, families, or organizations wishing to volunteer to ring the bell for the Salvation Army can contact the local office at 419-562-0071. The fundraiser operates Monday through Saturday, typically from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Dec. 24 will be the last day of the Our Kettle Campaign.