Advertisement

Red Kettle Campaign raises $23K for Crawford County

Error message

  • Warning: array_merge(): Expected parameter 1 to be an array, bool given in _simpleads_render_ajax_template() (line 133 of /home/pdccourier/www/www/sites/all/modules/simpleads/includes/simpleads.helper.inc).
  • Notice: Trying to get property 'settings' of non-object in _simpleads_adgroup_settings() (line 343 of /home/pdccourier/www/www/sites/all/modules/simpleads/includes/simpleads.helper.inc).
  • Warning: array_merge(): Expected parameter 1 to be an array, bool given in _simpleads_render_ajax_template() (line 157 of /home/pdccourier/www/www/sites/all/modules/simpleads/includes/simpleads.helper.inc).
  • Notice: Trying to access array offset on value of type null in include() (line 24 of /home/pdccourier/www/www/sites/all/modules/simpleads/templates/simpleads_ajax_call.tpl.php).

By Correne Martin

 

The Crawford County Salvation Army’s Red Kettle Campaign from the Christmas 2017 season was the highest ever received in the county, according to Coordinator Jen Kapinus.

The one-month total, collected Black Friday through Christmas Eve, was $5,000 more than last year, equaling $23,634.47 in donations. 

“We had set a goal of $20,000, so not only did we meet our goal, we exceeded it,” Kapinus said. “So many other counties didn’t make their goals, and to see that kind of generosity out of people, especially when we’re one of the poorest counties in Wisconsin, is wonderful.”

Kapinus attributed the successful year to promotion of what the Salvation Army does for in-need residents and transients and how all the money stays in Crawford County. A Courier Press article “putting a face to the problem of homelessness here,” along with retired chiropractor Jim Greenwald’s challenge to potential donors, were both beneficial toward promoting the organization. Furthermore, Kapinus said unseasonably warmer weather Thanksgiving weekend probably brought more shoppers past the red kettles.

She added that two individuals mailed checks in the amount of $1,000 each but, aside from that, the jump from 2016’s collection is unbelievable. 

Each year, donations to the Red Kettle Campaign locally are distributed back into the community on a case-by-case basis, for needs such as rent/mortgages, utilities, groceries, hot meals, clothing, emergency lodging, medical equipment, prescriptions, diapers, flood relief, plumbing repairs, and door and window replacements for disadvantaged people. Kapinus meets and determines people’s needs by appointment and in emergencies. One of the Salvation Army’s key focuses is to ensure the safety and comfort of children in desperate situations.

Aside from the $23,000, the local Salvation Army worked with sponsors to provide Christmas gifts and clothing for 184 kids from 71 families. She said additional families were denied because  of the organization’s regulations (assistance is only allowed twice within five years); yet they likely received assistance from Operation Santa, Couleecap or otherwise, as is often the case.

Considering several hundred people are helped in the county over the course of the year thanks to the generosity of others, Kapinus wished to share her appreciation: “I’d really like to express my gratitude to everyone who helped make this happen for the betterment of our county.”

Rate this article: 
No votes yet