Salvation Army Salinas says donations are down this year
The Salvation Army Salinas said donations are down this holiday season. With Christmas just days away, volunteers are scrambling to meet their goal.
Between the Salinas and Monterey Peninsula Salvation Army, officials said they’re short about $20,000.
On Monday, a group of volunteers got together for one last fundraising push at the Wal-Mart on North Main Street in Salinas. The Salvation Army said it’s doing everything it can to raise more money – even invoking the power of The Force.
“Star Wars just came out so we thought it would be fun to do a Star Wars kettle,” said Lt. Sean O’Brien with the Salvation Army Salinas.
O’Brien said donations are down this year because they have 50 percent fewer people volunteering to be bell ringers compared to last year.
“We’ve had a hard time with volunteers. I don’t know if its people aren’t able to get out or it’s been wet, I don’t know what it is,” said O’Brien.
To make up for the lack of bell ringers, other volunteers have been working extra, sometimes seven days a week, like Joseph Ostby.
“I don’t have a lot of money to give but I can always give my time and I can always spend a few hours at a kettle and ring the bell,” said Ostby.
Ostby has been a bell ringer formore than10 years. He said the best part about volunteering is interacting with kids in the community and knowing his hard work is helping make a difference.
“This time of year, a lot of people get caught up in making sure to buy stuff, buy stuff, but it’s really about giving to people who need help,” said Ostby.
The Salvation Army Salinas said all the money collected from the Red Kettle Fundraiser stays in the community for after-school programs and senior citizen activities.
“Just in Salinas we serve over 20,000 hot meals every year and the funds that we raise here help us do that. We feed seniors, children, and homeless, anybody that’s hungry,” said O’Brien.
There is still time to sign-up and volunteer. The Red Kettle Fundraiser ends on Christmas Eve.
