CT Kettle Campaign Down

Salvation Army Kettle Campaign Down
While Community Need Up

Bad Weather and Short Christmas Season Key Factors!

CONNECTICUT - Thanks to the generosity of many, The Salvation Army’s Red Kettle Campaign raised almost $1.7 million dollars last in Connecticut, but this year’s campaign is falling significantly behind. Donations are down by 20%. All kettle donations stay in the communities where the funds are collected and the money helps to provide meals, shelter, toys, clothing and many other services throughout the year – not just at Christmastime. During a time when need has increased in some Connecticut communities by as much as 50%, this poses a great threat to critical services.

This year, because of a late Thanksgiving date, the kettle season is shorter by five vital days – so donations coming in between now and the end of the year are important to The Salvation Army’s ability to meet needs here in the state.

Snow and freezing temperatures have also put a damper on donations and are a risk to our bell ringers’ health and safety. As many would probably agree, the weather has not been good for kettles! During this particularly unseasonable weather, The Salvation Army must sometimes opt not to put the kettles out, even though it results in fewer donations during the key "giving season." As a result, several days of bad weather this year has only put The Salvation Army’s fundraising campaign even further behind.

"I am very concerned about the bad weather and lost kettle days and how this will impact our ability to help those who are hurting. The red kettles are a symbol of giving and represent a tradition of caring that is passed down from generation to generation. We’re hoping that shoppers will remember their neighbors in need when they see a Salvation Army bell ringer in the community during the remaining days until Christmas. I hope that public will be as generous as they can be, to help us raise the funds to meet the ever-increasing demand for our services," commented Major David Champlin, Divisional Commander for The Salvation Army in Southern New England.

The public’s support will help to ensure that The Salvation Army can continue “Doing The Most Good” for those in need this holiday season and throughout the year.

Prefer to help from home? To donate online, simply click here; send a check to The Salvation Army, 855 Asylum Avenue, Hartford, CT 06105, Attn: Kettle Effort; or text GIVECT to 80888 to give $10, which will be applied to your phone bill.