BOZEMAN, Mont. – The Salvation Army is taking its iconic red kettles virtual. This holiday season, The Salvation Army is seeing a greater need for their services – more than any in recent history. COVID-19 has not only created a bigger need for the organization to fill, it will also decrease the number of traditional red kettles our community used to seeing on street corners and at store entrances each Christmas season.
That’s why The Salvation Army is offering the Virtual Red Kettle. It allows the community to support their neighbors in need and allows them to participate in the traditional red kettle experience, all without ever leaving their homes. It’s the ultimate socially distant way to give back this holiday season.Donors can go online to bozemanredkettle.org to give a gift or create their own fundraiser for The Salvation Army. Donations given to the Bozeman campaign stay in the Bozeman community. For example, a gift of $25 could provide a toy for two children this Christmas. When you click the donate button, you’ll hear an actual Salvation Army bell ring!Last holiday season, The Salvation Army raised more than $126 million nationally through red kettles. Due to closing of retail stores, a decrease in foot traffic, consumers carrying less cash and coins, The Salvation Army could see up to a 50 percent decrease in funds raised nationally through red kettles. If this happens, our ability to provide services for the most vulnerable every day and during disasters would be severely reduced.People count on The Salvation Army to be there when they need help. Now, we’re asking for assistance. We are calling on the community to donate their time and/or money to help rescue Christmas for their neighbors in need. Here are some other ways we’re making giving back easier and safer than ever:
• Make a donation to The Salvation Army at bozemanredkettle.org
• Give cash, change or use Apple Pay or Google Pay at an in-person red kettle
• Sign up to become a bell ringer at volunteer.usawest.org (The Salvation Army has adopted nationally mandated COVID-19 safety protocols)
The red kettle tradition began in 1891 when Salvation Army Captain Joseph McFee wanted to help feed needy citizens in San Francisco. McFee remembered the ferry landings in Liverpool England, where people would sit with small kettles that travelers would toss spare change into to help the less fortunate. Placing his own kettle on Market Street in Oakland California, McFee was able to help individuals on Christmas. The idea traveled to Boston in 1897 and the Red Kettle Campaign has been a tradition ever since.
