Lifestyles: Salvation Army Red Kettle Campaign

The Salvation Army’s Red Kettle Campaign is a tradition that started in 1891 when a Salvation Army captain in San Francisco wanted to feed the homeless in the city.

In this week's Lifestyles Beartooth NBC shows us how local members of the organization are striving to keep the giving spirit alive more than a hundred years later.

It's the Salvation Army’s biggest fundraiser of the year.

“As many know, the need is up this year.  We've already seen a greater impact in our toy distribution and food box applications.” Salvation Army, Lt. Robert Lawlor.

Lieutenant Rob Lawlor says a third of Salvation Army Helena’s operating expenses come from the Red Kettle Campaign expenses that go towards programs to help families in need.

“Here it really does help keep the lights on, keep food and the pantry shelves, rent assistance, utility assistance…you name it, that's what we use it for,” says Lawlor.

Lt. Lawlor says there are more than 300 people who need help this year but the most rewarding part is when those people come back to help others.

“The best part is hearing the stories about how the Salvation Army has impacted families and how they're now giving back to the Salvation Army,” Lawlor

People like Ryan Wilson who volunteer as bell ringers.

“3-4 years ago in that time period I was having a hard time financially making my rent, my other payments and what not else.  I came to the Salvation Army for help and they gave it to me wholeheartedly.
I just truly enjoy every aspect of it and I know I'm helping people of all different denominations of all different needs and it really makes me feel good inside,” says 2nd Season Bell Ringer, Ryan Wilson

But the heart of the campaign is the hearts of the people who make it possible.

“Probably the most important part is the donor.  If we didn't have money going into the kettle we couldn't have money to help out the community and without that person dropping those few coins into the kettle it wouldn't be a successful campaign,” says Lawlor.

“There's people out there that are very giving, have very big hearts,” says Wilson.

The Salvation Army’s red kettle campaign starts the Saturday before Thanksgiving and goes through the 24th of December.

Story by Jess Armstrong, Beartooth NBC.
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