Salvation Army kicks off red kettle campaign in Rochester

Source: Post-Bulletin, Rochester, Minn.self storageNov. 08--The Rochester Salvation Army hopes new online options help its Christmas campaign raise more than $1 million for a second straight year.On Thursday night at the Hy-Vee grocery store on 37th Street Northwest, the local Salvation Army chapter kicked off its 2013 Red Kettle and Christmas campaigns. Organizers hope to break last year's record total of $1,018,214. A big part of the record tally was the $358,000 raised from donation placed in the traditional red kettles. The rest of the funds came from mailed checks, corporate matches and two new online options.Last year, for the first time, people could donate to the Salvation Army by either scanning a QR (quick response) code by the kettles or setting up their own digital kettle on the Salvation Army's website. Kenn Roehl, the Rochester Salvation Army's development director, said last year there was little promotion of the online options. This year, they are ready to promote them in hopes of reaching more potential givers."Hopefully it appeals to a younger crowd, a more technical crowd," Roehl said. "They can now give online, and the money will come right back to us. We would like to do whatever we can to expand that. So many people now have smart phones, but they don't have cash on them. This is a great way."Dave Ferber, the local chapter's director of community engagement, said he is excited about the online kettles. Instead of making a one-time donation, Ferber said people or a business can open a kettle, promote it, set goals and add personal messages.Red kettle traditionWhile the Rochester Salvation Army is embracing new technology, officials say the local chapter has no intention of forgetting about time-tested ways of donating.Local officials have set a red kettle goal of $375,000 for 2013, a jump of nearly 5 percent from 2012. In order to reach that goal, the Rochester Salvation Army will need more bell ringers. Because Th迷你倉nksgiving is still three weeks away, Roehl said people have not been as quick to volunteer to ring the bell. The local chapter, which will set up 36 red kettles, needs volunteers to ring bells for a total of 9,000 hours before the end of the year. Roehl said participation was great last year in large part because Thanksgiving was so early (Nov. 22). This year, it's on Nov. 28."This year, there is that extra week, so I think there's the perception because Thanksgiving is a week later (than last year) that it's not time yet," Roehl said.Even Rochester Mayor Ardele Brede told Thursday's crowd that it felt a little early to think about Christmas."It feels funny having to say, 'Happy Holidays,' and 'Merry Christmas,' but it's now that time of year," said Brede, who added that the Salvation Army is the gold standard for providing help to people who need help.People can sign up to ring a bell by logging onto registertoring.com. Already signed up to ring is Lowell Erickson."I just think the Salvation Army does a good job, and there are many needy people in the community, and I want to do what I can do," Erickson said. "It's a great opportunity to get to know people in the community."Other donationsThe Rochester Salvation Army also receives a lot of donation through the mail and by people stopping by its office."People either get something for Christmas, and they want to donate it or they do it for tax purposes. The last week of the year, after Christmas, becomes quite busy with people dropping things off for us," Ferber said.Two local corporations were honored for their support. The 2013 campaign got off to strong start on Thursday when Think Bank donated $10,000 at the kickoff. Also honored Thursday night were the local Hy-Vee stores, which have combined to donate $247,557 in the past three years.Copyright: ___ (c)2013 the Post-Bulletin Visit the Post-Bulletin at .postbulletin.com Distributed by MCT Information Servicesmini storage