The Salvation Army’s Red Kettle Campaign, a long-standing holiday tradition that collects monetary donations at various businesses, including stores and banks, is trying to reach a goal of $3 million in Southern California, but donations have dropped almost ten percent compared to last year as of December 14.
A Salvation Army statement said it does not “stand” kettles out on Sundays, and they’ve had fewer kettles out from the year before, and these factors may have contributed to the situation.
In Pasadena, the program launched on November 18 with a kick-up ceremony at the Rose Bowl locker room and over 25 red kettles popping up around the City. That day, the program raised over $62,000 during the kick-off event alone.
Pasadena has also been a direct recipient of the Red Kettle giving campaign. For more than 15 years, the Salvation Army has been a sponsor of the Pasadena Police Activities League (PAL), a program that has provided services and mentorship to over 3,000 local youth.
The City hosts a Pasadena Tabernacle for the Salvation Army at 960 E. Walnut Street, which also serves as its Community Center. The Center offers such services as emergency financial assistance, food and nutrition programs, worship services and character building programs and community recreation programs.
In addition, the Salvation Army maintains an Adult Rehabilitation Center at 56 W. Del Mar Blvd., which also houses a Family Store and Donation Dropbox. Another Salvation Army Family Store is located at at 35 Waverly Drive in Pasadena.
The Red Kettle Program provides a substantial amount of resources that enables the Salvation Army to provide more than a million meals to underserved families in Southern California, provide services to at-risk youth and veterans, and makes it possible that each and every night, over 2,000 people sleep under a Salvation Army roof.
“We thank the good people of Southern California who have already dropped their spare change into our red kettles and I can assure them their money will make real change in the lives of so many families who come to The Salvation Army looking for shelter, food, and a variety of essential social services,” said Lt. Colonel Kyle Smith, Divisional Commander of The Salvation Army’s Southern California Division. “We’re hoping that shoppers will remember their neighbors in need these last two weeks of the kettle season and be as generous as they can to help.”
For Pasadena donors, donations can be given online at www.salvationarmysocal.org or at Red Kettle locations usually found on street corners, in malls and at local retailers. Donations can also be sent to the Donation Dropbox at 56 W. Del Mar Blvd.
For more information, call (626) 773-4400 or email [email protected]. Salvation Army Pasadena’s website is www.pasadena.salvationarmy.org.
