For the first time ever, there will be three Salvation Army Red Kettles in Perham. Salvation Army Lt. Anthony Nordan, from the Fergus Falls Salvation Army, said in a phone interview with the Focus the buckets will be at Service Foods, Central Market, and Mark’s Home and More this year.
Nordan said the Fergus Falls Salvation Army serves all of Otter Tail County and not just Fergus Falls. He said, “if someone in Perham needs help, they can call and we will do what we can.”
Like many things this year, the Salvation Army has been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Nordan said the pandemic has caused many volunteers in Otter Tail County who would normally volunteer to be a bell ringer, the Christmas Toy Shop distribution, and the food shelf grocery distribution.
Prior to this year, the Fergus Falls Salvation Army had been 100% volunteer, this year, volunteering for the Red Kettle has fallen by 70%, according to a news release from the Fergus Falls Salvation Army.
Nordan said since many volunteers are having to make the choice to not volunteer this year to remain safe the Salvation Army will be hiring bell ringers to man the Red Kettles. He said the Salvation Army has had paid bell ringers in the past but prefers the kettles being manned by volunteers so more of the funds raised can go toward Salvation Army programs and relief.
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In addition to there being an increase of kettles in Perham, the Fergus Falls Salvation Army is also taking online and mailed in donations, Nordan said. Those who would like to donate online can either visit the Fergus Falls Salvation Army’s Facebook page, website or be a virtual ringer at registertoring.com .
Virtual ringing sets up an online Red Kettle allowing groups, organizations, and businesses to setup their own fundraising campaign for the Salvation Army, Nordan said.
Brand new to the Fergus Falls Salvation Army is this year they are doing a round-up with Walmart, Nordan said. He said people who shop at Walmart, they can choose to round up to the nearest dollar to donate to the Salvation Army. Funds raised through in-store shopping will stay in the county the purchase was made in. Funds raised through the Walmart shopping app or online will go to the Salvation Army in the county where the credit card used to make the purchase zip code is.
To volunteer, receive information or help from the Salvation Army, call 218-739-9692 or visit centralusa.salvationarmy.org/northern/fergusfalls .
