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Salvation Army taking donations from credit, debit cards and online

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Photo by Kyle Bursaw

Garry Jensen, kettle coordinator for The Salvation Army in Janesville, pries the staples out of an old, worn out sign that goes on display above the kettles.

Photo

Photo by Kyle Bursaw

Garry Jensen replaces an old display sign with a new one. Each year, the charity replaces signs that become torn and broken before the start of the collection season.

JANESVILLE — Salvation Army red kettle fundraising is entering the electronic age—accepting credit cards and soliciting donations through the Internet.

"As a sign of the times and in reaction to growing trends in younger adults, plastic will be accepted at the (red) kettle," Capt. Kirk Schuetz said.

"There are many adults these days that do not carry cash, so in an effort to facilitate donations from this growing group of people, we will be accepting credit and debit cards at one location in Janesville."

Although the new giving concept requires training volunteers to use the credit/debit card machine, Schuetz said it's worth a try.

"I heard a typical (red kettle) cash donation is $2 to $3, where a typical credit card donation is $12 to $14," he said.

Plastic will be taken only at the Salvation Army's Angel Tree location in the center court of the Janesville Mall. Schuetz said he'd also take the credit card machine to special locations where he will be.

The local Salvation Army also is expanding its Internet fundraising effort by inviting people to create virtual kettles online or join existing online kettle teams.

The national Salvation Army has had an online kettle for a few years, but encouraging local individuals to create their own kettles is a first for Janesville, he said.

"Anybody who has a Facebook account and would like to support the Salvation Army can follow the link at janesvillesa.org," Schuetz said.

The concept is great because it can include people who haven't had an opportunity to support the Salvation Army before, he said.

"Whether you are homebound or a young person who likes the Salvation Army and want to get involved, you can include the link on your Facebook homepage," Schuetz said.

Through Facebook, people can donate to the Salvation Army of their choice.

Both new ways of giving help the Salvation Army "stay in step with the times," Schuetz said.

Bell ringing starts Friday, Nov. 13, at 18 locations throughout Janesville and Milton. The goal is to raise $300,000—$15,000 more than last year's goal—by Christmas Eve.

Money raised during the annual holiday campaign will be used to fund Salvation Army programs—meal site, food pantry, emergency assistance, children's programs, summer camps and a transitional housing program.

"As the unemployment benefits run out, we're seeing more come in for assistance," Schuetz said. "We had to increase that goal slightly to be able to meet that … need."