Red kettles, Angel Tree shift gears in pandemic
Salvation Army asking community to help ‘rescue Christmas’
Bruce Campbell of Kahului rings a bell for Salvation Army’s iconic red kettle holiday fundraiser outside Walmart on Tuesday afternoon. Campbell said he’s been helping out with the red kettles for 10 years. “They ask where the money goes, and I tell them, it stays here on Maui,” he said. “Salvation Army, they help the people.” Campbell added that this year’s effort is not as widespread due to the pandemic. The Maui News / COLLEEN UECHI photos
Winona Lau Hee (right) of Kahului drops a donation into the red kettle as volunteer Bruce Campbell looks on. Campbell said even during the pandemic, people are still giving. “Good hearts,” he said.
Bruce Campbell of Kahului rings a bell for Salvation Army’s iconic red kettle holiday fundraiser outside Walmart on Tuesday afternoon. Campbell said he’s been helping out with the red kettles for 10 years. “They ask where the money goes, and I tell them, it stays here on Maui,” he said. “Salvation Army, they help the people.” Campbell added that this year’s effort is not as widespread due to the pandemic. The Maui News / COLLEEN UECHI photos
Winona Lau Hee (right) of Kahului drops a donation into the red kettle as volunteer Bruce Campbell looks on. Campbell said even during the pandemic, people are still giving. “Good hearts,” he said.
Trending
On a Tuesday afternoon outside the Kahului Walmart, Bruce Campbell sat beside a red kettle, doing what he's done faithfully for the past 10 years -- ringing the bell for Maui County's less fortunate.
"They ask where the money goes, and I tell them, it stays here on Maui," Campbell said. "Salvation Army, they help the people."
Campbell is part of a smaller army of dedicated volunteers who are trying to "rescue Christmas" during a global health and economic crisis. Due to the pandemic, there are about 75 percent fewer red kettles statewide -- from 100 to about 25 kettles.
"While it's too soon to share specific numbers, with far fewer red kettles in Maui County than in the past, we are expecting $60,000 less in donations this year," said Lt. Steven Howard, Maui County Coordinator and Kahului Corps Officer. "At the same time, the demand for our social service outreach continues to grow."
During a holiday season "unlike any in recent times," The Salvation Army in Hawaii is seeking donations and volunteer support from businesses and the community.
Local Salvation Army officials across Hawaii are implementing new red kettle and Angel Tree traditions that better meet health and safety protocols and offer more opportunities to donate to keiki, kupuna and others in need.
"We are grateful to our donors who continue to support our efforts during the Christmas holiday season and year-round," Howard said. "We are able to provide social service programs as budgets and funds come in. So this year, truly every penny counts.
"So when you see a red kettle or Angel Tree or other opportunity, please support."
The Salvation Army is also seeking volunteer bell ringers to help keep red kettles available as much as possible.
By late March, Howard said that all Salvation Army officers were appointed into emergency disaster service roles and all facilities shifted to "emergency response mode."
Even though duties were stretched thin, the Salvation Army has still helped to provide more than 289,000 meals, snacks and drinks; more than 55,000 food boxes; and more than 18,000 basic needs items across Hawaii, he said.
In Maui County, which includes Kahului Corps, Lahaina Lighthouse Corps and Molokai Outpost, the Salvation Army added additional hot meal and food box distributions to meet the demand of those affected by the pandemic.
"Some examples of our Maui County social services programs include regular food pantries and hot meal distributions, outreach for those experiencing homelessness, helping place Christmas gifts under the tree for those in need via Angel Tree and senior outreach, among others," he said.
Every physical or virtual donation to the Rescue Christmas initiative provides "help and hope to those in need," he added.
"It's important to remember that red kettle and Angel Tree donations stay in the communities where they are donated," Howard said. "There also are various ways to donate online, allowing the community to raise funds not only for Christmas gifts for keiki and kupuna, but also to provide support for social service programs and those in need throughout the year."
RED KETTLES GO VIRTUAL
Traditional red kettles will be located at the Kahului Walmart, Pukalani Superette and all three Walgreens locations in Kahului, Lahaina and Wailuku, through Dec. 24, though the Kahului and Wailuku Walgreens said Tuesday that they didn't have red kettles yet.
Donations can also be made using Apple Pay and Google Pay at every red kettle for contactless transactions.
"As a result of the pandemic, several of the locations that you would normally see our red kettles were not available this holiday season, so we have added our virtual red kettle at MauiRedKettle.org," Howard said.
Businesses can also adopt an actual red kettle or counter kettle for their office or store front. For more details, contact the Development Department at (808) 988-2136.
Times Supermarkets in Kihei and Honokowai have Salvation Army holiday canisters at checkout and will accept monetary donations through Dec. 31.
There are also a few Red Kettle Challenges across the state, including one on Maui, where two anonymous donors will match the first $20,000 in donations for Maui red kettles.
BUSINESSES PITCH IN FOR ANGEL TREE PROGRAM
Wailuku resident Krislynn Saludares said Tuesday that she had dropped off her Angel Tree gift that day at Queen Ka'ahumanu Center, one of the many locations accepting donations through Saturday.
"Donating to the Angel Tree is something I try to do every year because I love putting a smile on someone's face," Saludares said. "I go to Ka'ahumanu Mall to donate every year and my sister inspired me to do this when she volunteered to work at that location a few years ago."
Other Angel Tree locations include Aloha Pacific Federal Credit Union, Body in Balance Maui in Lahaina, Kahului Walmart, Maui Family YMCA, Maui Medical Group's Wailuku Office and Maui County Federal Credit Union branches, including Kahului, Lahaina and Wailuku.
Last year, more than 30,000 gifts were donated through the traditional Angel Tree program in Hawaii, according to the Salvation Army.
Traditionally, Christmas trees are decorated with paper angel tag ornaments with the first name, age and gender of a keiki or kupuna in need. Donors can select one or more tags from the Angel Tree and purchase gifts for a child or senior described on the tags. Gifts are returned to the tree the tags were pulled from.
During the pandemic, supporters can now purchase gifts online via new Angel Tree Gift Registries through Walmart or by supporting or creating virtual Angel Trees online at AngelTreeHi.org.
Customers can shop for gifts and have them delivered directly to their local Salvation Army.
Also, at Walmart stores, customers will be given the option to round up their purchases to the nearest dollar and donate the difference to The Salvation Army. Customers can do this at most Hawaii stores at staffed cash registers, on Walmart
.com or via the Walmart app through Dec. 31, according to the press release.
The Angel Tree Team fundraiser is an option for employees to get involved, and the public can donate to participating businesses and fundraisers. Funds provide Christmas gifts to keiki and kupuna, and provide support for those in need throughout the year.
In partnership with Aloha United Way, customers can also make cash donations at all Burger King locations through Dec. 31. The donations will go towards keiki Angel Tree gifts.
Angel Tree donations can be made at all Foodland and Sack N Save locations across the state through Dec. 31. Customers can select a monetary donation, donate a My Rewards certificate (equals $5 donation), or donate Maika'i points from their purchase (250 points equals a $5 donation). Donations support Christmas gifts for children and seniors, and those in need throughout the year.
For more information or to access services for those in need, visit Maui.SalvationArmy.org or call 877-6750.
* Dakota Grossman can be reached at dgrossman@mauinews.com.