HOULTON, Maine — They are a sight familiar to all with their shiny red bucket, accompanied by a person jingling a bell for all to hear.
The Salvation Army is once again out in force collecting donations through its annual Red Kettle campaign. Donation buckets began popping up around Thanksgiving and will continue to be staffed at local grocery and department stores in the days leading up to Christmas.
To encourage the public to contribute, the Salvation Army in Houlton is participating in a “Kettle Blitz” day Thursday, Dec. 13, along with volunteers and staff. The divisional “Red Kettle Blitz” is a one-day competition among Salvation Army corps throughout the Northern New England Division.
Lt. Adrian Aponte, left, and Envoy/Pastor Frank Nataluk are gearing up for a busy holiday season in Houlton.
(Contributed photo)
Kettle Blitz day is intended to draw attention to society’s casualties — individuals and families who are struggling to survive — according to Frank Nataluk, envoy/pastor for the Houlton Salvation Army.
“The Salvation Army assists people by providing food, clothing and, of course, toys for youngsters at Christmas,” he said. “Income from the red kettles not only helps during the Christmas season but throughout the year, making it even more important that the 2018 goal will be met.
This year’s kettle goal for the Houlton Corps is $60,000, while statewide, the Salvation Army hopes to collect $787,748.
“One hundred percent of the money is for our local Salvation Army Corps and goes to fund the various assistance programs that we have including our heating assistance program, emergency food pantry, weekly soup kitchen, and other types of assistance,” explained Natalak. “Technically, 10 percent of all we will bring in goes to headquarters to support us, but because we are in a ‘mission’ status all of the money comes back to us.”
Thus far, fundraising has gone well, he said.
“The Salvation Army specifically in Houlton and generally in Aroostook County is a vital resource of assistance for many families who are struggling financially and provides a place of worship for anyone, from child to older adult, who wishes to attend,” Nataluk said.
Allysin Starling of Houlton is one of several bell ringers in the Houlton area and has worked at the Andy’s IGA location for a couple of weeks. Originally from Las Vegas, Nevada, Starling moved to Houlton last March, to experience Maine’s four seasons.
“Most people are upbeat when they see me ringing the bell,” she said. “It’s been pretty steady. Usually people donate on their way in, because they may not have any money left when the come out.”
Kettles are located throughout Aroostook County. In Houlton, they can be found at Wal-Mart, Andy’s IGA, Mardens and County Yankee Grocer. In Presque Isle, kettles are located at Wal-Mart, Marden’s, JC Penney and in Caribou one is located at Sleepers.
There are also kettles in Lincoln, there is a kettle at Walmart. Similar kettles are located in Island Falls and Patten.
Allicia Torres Quirion is a service unit member for the Salvation Army in the southern portion of Aroostook and northern Penobscot counties, representing 12 surrounding communities.
“The only funds that we have to serve these 12 communities has come from one-year round kettle located at Debs Deli in Patten,” she said. “The counter top kettle collected $2,100 thus far.”
Therefore, for her area, relying on donations to the kettles is of utmost importance.
“Within our towns we have no large business to man nor do we have enough volunteers to tend two-hour shifts,” Quirion said. “In the past five years, this is the very first year I had any bell ringers.”
Three different volunteers maned kettles and were able to collect $159 in two days, she said.
But beyond that, few others have come forward to volunteer their time.
“We have two kettles and three businesses that have welcomed us to ring outside,” she said. “The larger corps have to pay hourly rates for people to ring the bells. This breaks my heart. Volunteerism is disappearing.”
In addition to the red kettles, the Salvation Army also has several “Angel Trees” located at Walmart and Mardens. An Angel Tree is filled with tags depicting items that a local family has requested. Tags typically read “8-year-old female, Barbie doll,” for example.
Tags are due back to the Salvation Army by Friday, Dec. 14. Individuals can either pick up tags off trees at Walmart and Mardens or stop in the Houlton Salvation Army headquarters at 12 Court St. between the hours of 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays or Fridays from 9 a.m. to noon.
