Red Kettle A Sign Of The Season

Jerry Morrison, (center) with Mahaska County Salvation Army, talks about this year’s bell-ringing program on Saturday at the VFW.

Oskaloosa, Iowa – That familiar sound of the bell as it sounds in the distance at Christmas time is just as much a part of the season as presents under the tree, or homemade candy.

That bell signifies the Salvation Army red kettle fundraiser that finds its way to nearly every major retailer in a community like Oskaloosa. Many of those other locations have smaller counter-top kettles. But what does the Salvation Army do, and how does that money collected impact our community?

This year, as many in the past have been, a small dedicated group of individuals meet at the VFW to hear from a selected speaker and catch up with their fellow bell-ringers, many of whom they may not have seen since last Christmas.

This year, University Park Mayor, George Toubekis, talked about how his service not only as mayor, but his service to country on active duty in Afghanistan is like many of those others in the community who continue to give back. “It’s all about giving back to the community,” said Toubekis.

Toubekis has had some experience with the red kettle when he rang the bell as part of a shift with his church. He adds that he’s seen the donations made to the Salvation Army at work in the community, but also on the national scene during disasters.

Jerry Morrison is the area coordinator for Mahaska County Salvation Army. He also welcomed those in attendance and talked about how to sign up for hours to volunteer to ring the bell.

Some of what the Mahaska County Salvation Army did with funds raised during the past year was, rent for individuals, utilities like gas and electricity and water for those who are in need.

Transient families were aided by motel rooms in the event their car broke down, and also individuals who needed bus fair to continue their journey home.

The Salvation Army also helped some individuals with their medical needs. All told, those efforts came to $28,000.00 this past year.

Four thousand dollars was shared in food cards and another nearly five thousand dollars in back-packs and supplies for kids going back to school.

All told, the Mahaska County Salvation Army brought in $50,000.00 for the year, up from $39,000.00 the year before. That larger amount was generated in part by a bell-ringing effort called Christmas In July, when the charities funds had been depleted to approximately $600.00.

Locally and nationally, the Salvation Army is found helping those impacted by fires and floods or other natural disasters.

Those funds come from the state and national funds. Those funds are generated from the local chapters like those in Mahaska County. Mahaska County will donate 10% of its income to the state and national level, but in return, Mahaska County benefits.

Those families locally benefit from those larger Salvation Army agencies, and by the end of year, Mahaska County will see a benefit over its original donation.

If you would like to sign up to ring the bell, you are welcome to call, 641.660.0173, because as Morrison explained, every hour it’s manned, “we’re looking at 40 to 50 dollars coming in usually.”