WASHINGTON 鈥� It鈥檚 a time-honored tradition. When you go shopping during the holidays, you are going to hear a bell ringing and see that iconic Salvation Army red kettle.
You鈥檝e likely seen them around in numerous places this year. But, what鈥檚 not being seen is the level of donations that have been dropped in the kettles in years past.
鈥淩ight now we鈥檙e 15 percent behind where we were this time last year,鈥� said Major James Hall of the D.C. Area Salvation Army. “We鈥檝e had some challenges with the kettles. It may be that people are moving toward a cashless society. It could be the weather. It could be a lot of different issues, but we鈥檙e a little down this year.鈥�
The goal of the D.C. area Salvation Army is to raise $1.4 million dollars this year, and that money will be used to help neighbors.
鈥淎ll the monies and all the gifts in those areas stay in those areas. if you give locally, it stays locally,鈥� he said.聽鈥淭his year we鈥檙e going to help over 80,000 of our neighbors to be kept warm, safe and have food in their bellies.鈥�
But he鈥檚 optimistic. 鈥淭he good news is that we have a week to catch up on what we鈥檙e behind. Christmas always brings out the best in people, and this next week we鈥檙e hoping people can experience generosity.鈥�
And you don鈥檛 have to brave the cold to find one of those Salvation Army red kettles to donate,, from the warmth of your home.
