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Salvation Army campaign at 35 percent of goal

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Photo by Bill Olmsted

The Salvation Army's Red Kettle Campaign is well known, but volunteer bell ringers are still needed for many shifts.

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Kirk E. Schuetz

JANESVILLE — Few people have taken advantage of the Salvation Army's new electronic age of giving.

"We've had very limited responses in this area. But I expect it will pick up toward Christmas. People will be more in the mood," said Capt. Kirk Schuetz.

The local church and social service agency began accepting credit and debit card donations when it kicked off its annual holiday fundraising campaign Nov. 14. Electronic donations are accepted at the Salvation Army Angel Tree location in the center court of the Janesville Mall.

People also are invited to create their own virtual kettles online, individually or as teams.

Through Wednesday, $105,133—or 35 percent of the $300,000 season's goal—had been raised. Of that, only $506 had been donated through the credit card machine, Schuetz said.

He isn't discouraged as the campaign's halfway mark approaches this weekend.

"It's new technology. We're trying to see what will work, and we're experimenting. I think maybe this isn't the best location for the (credit card) machine, and maybe there's not the traffic here of other locations," he said.

So the card machine might move.

"I think we'll put it at the site where the (Salvation Army) women's auxiliary will be at. I suspect we might see more responses there," Schuetz said of Logli Market at Creston Park.

Schuetz said bell ringers are needed for the Christmas campaign, which raises 40 percent of the Salvation Army's annual cash budget.

Unfortunately, 42 percent of two-hour time slots remain available, Schuetz said.

"When we don't have spots filled, the donations don't come in. Not only is a bell ringer a source of income because people put in the kettle, but it's also a reminder for people to send in their mail—direct and other unsolicited donations," he said.

Schuetz still believes this year's goal, increased by $15,000, is attainable.

"It's important we raise these funds to help those that come to us to get assistance," he said.