Citizen Staff/Terri Pederson
Melinda Kempfer, from Water Technologies, was manning the kettle in front of Walmart on Tuesday afternoon as part of the Salvation Army Red Kettle Campaign. Kempfer is shown with Jon Westimayer as he donates to the campaign.
The bells have already begun ringing as the 2009 Red Kettle Campaign is under way in Beaver Dam, and it couldn’t have come at a better time.
According to Salvation Army field representative Jill Lemkuil, demand for Salvation Army services is skyrocketing in the wake of the slow economy.
“There is a definite need this year,” said Lemkuil, noting that voucher demand is running three times the normal rate.
Area residents can help meet that need starting this week as the Beaver Dam Noon Kiwanis Club will once again oversee the Red Kettle Campaign. This is the sixth consecutive year that the Kiwanians have coordinated the program.
Last year, $30,000 was raised in Beaver Dam and a total of $63,000 was generated in campaigns throughout Dodge County.
“We are doing very well with sign-ups” said Kiwanian Karl Nienhuis, who co-chairs the event and makes sure that all bell-ringing slots are filled with volunteers. Bell-ringing will run on selected days through Saturday, Dec. 26. There are still a few openings and Nienhuis said anyone wishing to volunteer should call him at 885-3409. He also asks the community to remember the needy.
“With the economy in its present condition, we know that there may be hesitancy in some cases to make donations,” he said. “We hope that everyone remembers that the current condition also means that there are more needs than ever.”
All money collected goes to the Salvation Army with 86 percent of this money going directly to the needy of Dodge County. The remaining 14 percent is used for Salvation Army projects, which are also available to county residents. Those include a camp for mothers and daughters, an alcoholic treatment facility, vouchers for sheriff’s cars for stranded motorists in desperate straits, and their disaster relief fund.
Volunteers will man red kettles throughout the community for approximately 440 hours. Bell-ringing sites include ShopKo, Walmart Supercenter, Piggly Wiggly and Rechek’s Food Pride. In addition, several counter kettles have been distributed throughout Beaver Dam.
“It is a great time to help others in our area who are really struggling at this time,” Nienhuis said.