For many people, seeing the Salvation Army bell ringers outside of stores marks the beginning of the holiday season.
With the country officially in recession, the donations bell ringers collect are going to be needed more than ever by those who benefit from the Christmas Kettle program, according to Scott Hurula, Salvation Army lieutenant and Christmas Kettle program coordinator for most of DuPage County.
“We’ve had a 150 percent increase in holiday requests for assistance for food baskets, toys and clothing,” Hurula said.
Fortunately, Hurula said, the program is doing well and funds are being raised at a rate higher than last year. The Kettle program is the Salvation Army’s primary fundraiser.
“Historically, you never know what you’ll find (in the kettles). When the economy is booking, people think it’s OK (to give less),” Hurula said.
He started working for the program the Christmas after the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, and people gave more than ever then and have continued to increase their donations each year.
Salvation Army Major Steven Koehler, commanding officer for the Tri-City office covering St. Charles, Geneva and Batavia, noted the program began in the early 1900s in California and soon spread throughout the country.
“It’s well-recognized and something that most communities have made successful,” Koehler said, adding that donations not only cover costs incurred for holiday items such as food baskets, but also programs throughout the year.
“Initially, the collections benefit our Thanksgiving food baskets and Christmas (donations),” Koehler said. “There are gifts to nursing home residents during the holiday season and it does help with toys and winter clothing for children. We also give gift cards to low-income seniors.”
Especially important this year is helping replenish the Salvation Army’s food pantries, which have been in high demand, Koehler said.
Helping raise funds are bell ringers — people who stand outside in cold weather for hours at a time, Hurula said. The program is made up of both volunteers and employees who are paid minimum wage.
“We get as many volunteers as we can, but we also find people who would be unemployed otherwise,” Hurula said. “This is a better alternative for them. We’re glad to provide them with income.”
Hurula said the program has helped many people who are homeless be able to save up enough money for some sort of housing.
Patrick Webb, of Lombard, who was ringing his bell this week in front of Dominick’s in Bensenville, said working for the Salvation Army gives him extra money for the holiday season. A carpenter by trade, Webb said jobs have been slow lately, so he decided to brave the cold temperatures and became a bell ringer for the holiday season.
“I had done this once before a few years back, so I saw this as a good opportunity,” he said.
“The Salvation Army bell ringers are like a holiday tradition, and it’s nice to be part of that.”
Webb said while the news media has been reporting horror stories about the economy and lower donations, he hasn’t seen anything like that.
“It’s been amazing how much money I have been collecting in donations,” he said. “People are being very generous thus far.”
Webb said daily collections depend on locations and times, but can range anywhere from $75 or $80 all the way up to $200 or more in one shift.
Juan Marrero of Lombard started volunteering with the program a few weeks ago after inquiring how he could help.
“I’m having a lot of fun with it,” Marrero said. “Some families need help and (the Salvation Army) gives them a lot of help.”
Staff writer David Heitz contributed to this report.
Bensenville, IL —
