Chattanooga Is Home

Today’s Chattanooga Times Free Press had an interesting article about the area’s Salvation Army’s effort in this season’s kettle campaign. What struck me is that the Salvation Army now allows you to donate your kettle contributions online.

“People are getting busier. Fewer people are able to volunteer their time,” said Kimberly George, the organization’s community relations director. “But deep down we still want to do good. This gives people opportunity to give and still feel like they are contributing.”

The online kettle campaign, aimed at individuals, businesses and groups, began in Chattanooga this month.

“You have to go to the Web site, but once you go to it you can give,” Mrs. George said. “It’s very simple. You just put in your name, address and your group’s name and then e-mail your friends about it, and of course, it’s a secure site.”

I remember last year there was some hullabaloo about a certain chain store not allowing the bellringers in front of their stores*. It caused a stir and prompted giving by a competing big store and other merchants.

The reason this online kettle option struck me is because I rarely have any kind of cash or change on me. According to their FAQs, the kettle campaign started in 1891, a time when giving spare change would make sense. It was the common currency.

My financial life is all about the plastic and online bill pay. When I leave a store or am walking down the street, I don’t have that “spare change” that the bellringers are asking for.  I would happily unload stray nickles and dimes, quarters too, but I just don’t have them with me. (Yet, somehow I always find a few in my couch cushions.)

Online kettles just make sense in today’s technology driven life. This online option not only allows for individual donations, but you can host a personal kettle on your blog or webpage. You get to ring a bell virtually and not have to stand outside in front of a store in the cold.

Groups and businesses can also host their own kettles to raise the needed funds for the Chattanooga area Salvation Army. (According to the Times Free Press article, Chattanooga is about $82,800 short in their local goal of $207,000.) Money given to the kettles will aid in keeping overhead low and (from their Christmas page):

Donations provide Christmas dinners, clothing, and toys for families in need. Financial assistance also helps with basic necessities, along with seasonal aid. Families of prisoners often are included.

Volunteers distribute gifts to shut-ins in hospitals and nursing homes, and shelters are open for sit-down dinners. The Salvation Army endeavors to bring spiritual light and love to those it serves at Christmas so that the real meaning of the season is not forgotten.

So, unless you have spare change in your pocket when passing a bellringer, consider this online option to giving back to the Chattanooga community this Christmas.

 *I just noticed that this particular chain store has their own online kettle on the Salvation Army’s front page. Interesting…

[tags]Christmas, Salvation Army, bellringers, kettle campaign, Chattanooga, holiday giving, donations[/tags]