HOULTON, Maine — Salvation Army officials are hoping the giving spirit of Christmas will abound this year, but are also realistic in knowing donations may be down.
Now through Christmas Eve, bell ringers will be out in force in Aroostook County collecting donations through the annual Red Kettle campaign. Donation buckets began popping up around a week before Thanksgiving and will continue to be staffed at local grocery and other stores in the days leading up to Christmas.
Frank Natluk, envoy/pastor for the Houlton Salvation Army, said the Red Kettle campaign is the primary fundraiser for the Salvation Army. Last year, the County branch brought in about $53,000 during the drive. Two years ago, a near record $70,000 was collected.
The expectations are a bit tempered this year, because of COVID-19.
“We expected a decrease due to the pandemic as there is less shopping at the stores and less people carrying cash,” Nataluk said. “As of Saturday (Dec. 5) we have raised $18,000 and that is fairly even with last year. We are thankful for whatever the community donates and it seems people are getting the message that donations are slower than past years and expectations are we may see half of last year but we are hoping for the best.
“Our goal this year is $50,000 and we are ringing bells in Houlton and Presque Isle and Caribou at Walmarts, Mardens, County Yankee Grocer, Andy’s IGA, Star City IGA, JCPenney and Sleepers,” he said. “With the pandemic still causing economic difficulties, assistance to families will be expected to be at an all-time high for the heating season this year.”
The majority of the money raised stays with the local Salvation Army Corps and funds the its various assistance programs including its heating assistance program, emergency food pantry, and weekly soup kitchen, and other types of assistance.
The Salvation Army also assists people by providing food, clothing and toys for youngsters at Christmas.
“Monies raised go for our emergency assistance program, which includes assistance with heat for oil, propane, pellets and electricity,” Nataluk said. “It also helps with our food pantry and soup kitchen meals.”
Volunteer bell ringers are still very much needed in The County. Nataluk asks volunteers to sign up for 3 to 8 hour shifts, to ease scheduling issues.
Similar kettles have traditionally been located in Island Falls, Patten and East Millinocket, but that is not the case this year.
Allicia Torres Quirion, a service unit member for the Salvation Army in the southern portion of Aroostook and northern Penobscot counties that are not directly associated with the Houlton Salvation Army, said getting bell ringers to volunteer their time proved too difficult this year. As a result she was not able to start a Red Kettle campaign in her areas this year.
She said that those who contacted her about ringing the bell for the Salvation Army sought payment for their time. Funds were not available for that, Quirion said.
“Donations are expected to be down 50 percent from last year due to the pandemic causing more people to order Christmas presents online,” Nataluk said. “But I believe that God will supply the need through this great community in Aroostook County.”
To volunteer, contact Nataluk at 207-231-1982 or 207-532-2322 or email Frank.Nataluk@USE.SalvationArmy.Org.
