By Logan Wells, News Director | Logan@kymnradio.net
The Salvation Army is in the middle of its most important season of the year, the Red Kettle Campaign. Coordinator for Rice County, Don Pavek, said that the start of the campaign was particularly successful this year, thanking the community:
“We have had just a great, great kickoff, and of course, the weather was so beautiful for the bell ringers that rang on the 15th, 16th, and 22nd, and people are so generous.” – Don Pavek, Coordinator of the Rice County Salvation Army on KYMN In The Morning
Donations to the Red Kettle primarily stay in Rice County, with 97% of donations supporting housing, food, clothing, and other emergency needs for those in need in the area. Overall, the county’s goal is to raise $100,000 this season, with $35,000 coming from donations in Northfield.
Listen to the News:
“We love quarters, dimes, nickels, pennies, whatever, but if you want to put a check in, and if you put it in our kettles, it stays in Northfield. A lot of people don’t understand, they think it all goes to the national. But it doesn’t.” – Don Pavek, Coordinator of the Rice County Salvation Army on KYMN In The Morning
A critical note about donations was that while cash stayed locally, donations made online or by scanning the QR code would have a portion go to the national organization.
Pavek noted the volunteers from across the community have stepped up to help ring bells at Cub and Family Fare in Northfield, Fareway, Hy-Vee, and Walmart in Faribault, and Makethunes in Lonsdale. He noted groups of volunteers from different businesses and organizations had teamed up to ring the bell, including Heritage Bank, Community Resource Bank, and the Northfield VFW. As well as a competition among the county’s law enforcement agencies, held last week.
Beyond the traditional kettles, several mini-kettles are available at businesses in the community. Pavek noted that while it’s often only a little spare change going into the mini-kettle, they were also raising significant funds:
“I got a call from Bruce at Culver’s, and he says, Don, my kettle is full “and I say, What a great problem.” We went down and emptied that kettle and they had over $100 in Nickels, dimes, and quarters.” – Don Pavek, Coordinator of the Rice County Salvation Army on KYMN In The Morning
There are still several times needed for bell ringers at each location. Sign up at https://www.registertoring.com.
Shifts are in two-hour slots; however, Povek encouraged volunteers to have fun, bring friends or a team, play music, and enjoy the time.
“It’s a wonderful experience, I always say volunteering is not a job it’s a reward.” – Don Pavek, Coordinator of the Rice County Salvation Army on KYMN In The Morning
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