Teresa Estelle lost her job this year when the pandemic hit, but she’s grateful the Salvation Army offered her the opportunity to work as a paid red kettle bell ringer, helping her out for the holidays.
“I needed help, and so did they. And it’s for a good cause. We put two and two together to help other people,” Estelle said.
With many people in tough financial situations due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, the Salvation Army struggled to find enough volunteers to ring bells for the organization’s annual red kettle campaign, said Capt. Vinal Lee, director of the program in Johnson County. Several regular volunteers are high-risk for COVID-19, and groups such as Boy Scouts aren’t volunteering time this year either, he said.
The Salvation Army typically hires a few paid bell ringers every year, but this year, 15 were hired to work in the county, Lee said. The Salvation Army always has money set aside each year to pay bell ringers, if needed.
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“This is something we’re not opposed to. I mean, it’s a great way to supplement individuals’ income during the holiday season,” he said.
Despite the struggle to find in-person volunteer bell ringers, the county raised $60,000 so far from its red kettle campaign — nearly double the $35,000 raised last year, Lee said. This is from in-person donations, and online donations to the “virtual kettle.”
The rise in donations came as a pleasant surprise because the Salvation Army was preparing for a tough year across the board, he said. Nationwide, the organization anticipated its fundraising numbers would decline by up to 50%, according to a USA Today report.
The Salvation Army relies on its red-kettle campaign’s donations to raise money to help millions of Americans in financial crises around the holidays. Donations go toward purchasing items such as food and toys for families in need, or funding area social service programs. The need is especially great this year, with so many people out of work and suffering financially, Lee said.
“We truly serve in a generous community,” he said. “As a whole, the community has seen so many people struggling because of the economic shutdown and the loss of jobs, so those who can give a bit more this year.”
On the job, Estelle works outside at a kettle eight hours a day during the week, and 10 hours on the weekends, with a lunch break, she said.
Thursday afternoon, she stood outside Kroger in Franklin, bundled up with layers, a hat and a mask. Most people exiting the store would drop dollar bills into the kettle, she said.
“I’ve been doing fairly good as far as getting money in the buckets,” Estelle said.
Estelle, who is from Perry Township, worked in food service before being laid off this year. She picked up the bell ringer job to make ends meet until she finds a new job. This is her second year in a row working as a bell ringer for the Salvation Army, she said.
“It means a lot to have this job,” Estelle said.
Taylor Bromagen works nights in a warehouse. She took a job as a bell ringer to make some extra money during the day. Thursday was her first day working outside Hobby Lobby in Franklin.
“I knew they were struggling to find volunteers because no one wants to do it this year,” she said. “I kind of thought it would be a cool experience, too.”
Collections were pouring in.
“I had a lady, she may not have even gone into Hobby Lobby, but she pulled up in her car, got out, came and dropped money in. I was just like, ‘Thank you!’” Bromagen said. “I didn’t even see her go in, so I thought that was cool.”
Like everything else this year, parts of the red kettle campaign had to be adjusted due to the pandemic. In-person bell ringers have to wear a mask and wipe off the kettle often, Lee said. All kettles and aprons are washed every night now instead of once a week.
Estelle said she makes sure to wear her mask, and doesn’t stand too close to the kettle when people walk by to drop in donations.
"Most people don’t mind it so much," Estelle said.
The Salvation Army widely promoted a virtual kettle to give people who may not want to leave their house the option to donate safely online, Lee said.
Physical kettles are located in 12 spots around Johnson County. Bell ringers can be found at any Kroger or Walmart, as well as the Hobby Lobby in Franklin, The Greenwood Park Mall and Sam’s Club in Greenwood.
"The donations, I think for us, it’s less than just a commitment to the Salvation Army and it’s far more of a commitment to making sure no one in our community goes without this year," Lee said. "We’re grateful to be a small part of this community’s generosity."
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Here is a look at how you can donate to the Salvation Army’s red kettle campaign either online or in person.
Virtual red kettle: donate.salvationarmyindiana.org/teamjohnsoncounty
Red kettle locations in Johnson County:
Any Kroger or Walmart
Hobby Lobby in Franklin
Greenwood Park Mall
Sam’s Club in Greenwood
Source: The Salvation Army
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