Salvation Army struggles to ring in Red Kettle donations

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) - With about one week to go in its annual campaign, the Salvation Army’s red kettles have fallen short of ringing in enough donations to match the organization’s goal.

Major Harold Poff with the Fort Wayne branch said reaching shy of 50 percent of the goal had been a struggle when a matter of days of chiming for the charity remained.

Poff acknowledged recent attention brought to the campaign by one volunteer’s attempt at a world record.

Steve Batzka raised nearly $2,000 while bell ringing outside a Fort Wayne Kroger Marketplace for 36 hours.  He had attempted to last 60 hours straight on the job.

“It came at a time when there are a lot of things going on, so it’s kind of hard to fight for attention through all the crowds.  It was very much appreciated,” Poff said.

In November, the organization announced the bell ringing season would be shorter t han in years past.  Red kettles and their volunteers would only appear outside area businesses for 27 days compared to 38 in other years.

The Kettle Campaign is the Salvation Army’s most important fundraiser of the year.  Monies donated help provide assistance to needy community members during all seasons.

“We use these funds throughout the year to provide assistance with rent and utilities and other basic needs that families have in order to stay in their homes and keep their families together,” Poff said.

The Red Kettle Campaign ends December 24.

Poff and Batzka appeared on First News Sunday to discuss the campaign.  The full interview can be viewed in the video player in this article.