Red kettle campaign calls for volunteers

As the holiday season approaches, the Salvation Army is preparing for its annual red kettle campaign, and New Life Community Church is once again partnering in this effort to raise funds to better serve the needs of residents in Jefferson County.

The red kettles will be set up in front of Hy-Vee Food and Drug Store and Walmart after Thanksgiving.

Past support for the campaign has been wonderful, according to the Rev. Jim McGaffey, volunteer coordinator for the Salvation Army in Jefferson County. In the 2010 holiday season, the county goal to raise $14,000 was exceeded by $738.

This year?s goal is $16,000.

?We need more donations because the current economic climate has resulted in many more people experiencing need that have not been in such circumstances in the past,? said McGaffey.

The Fairfield Kiwanis Club and the Fairfield Lions Club will again assist in fundraising for the Salvation Army holiday drive. In addition, several Libertyville Savings Bank employees are volunteering for many evening shifts of bell ringing.

More volunteers will be needed to fill many time slots. The bell ringing schedule is 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday, beginning Friday after Thanksgiving, Nov. 25 through Christmas Eve afternoon, Dec. 24. Call McGaffey at 472-2524 or 919-8815 for more information or to sign up to ring the bell at a red kettle.

?Anyone who can assist is greatly appreciated,? said McGaffey. ?It?s most helpful if individuals sign up in two-hour time slots. It?s more enjoyable to have a partner ring with you, so recruit a friend or co-worker to ring the bell with you. And be sure to dress for the weather and protect yourself from the wind and cold.?

Funds raised for the Salvation Army are split ? with 70 percent used for local needs and 30 percent going to administrative costs and other relief efforts.

?All monies donated are utilized for good and accountable purposes,? said McGaffey. ?It is good to know that the Salvation Army is a program with an excellent track record of ethical integrity with volunteers at the local level and directors at headquarters receiving small salaries so the vast majority of funds can be used to meet real human needs.?

In the past 12 months in Jefferson County, the Salvation Army served 298 individuals, which included 137 households with 107 children; 132 women; and 59 men. Types of services provided included lodging in a motel room ? two occasions; five grocery orders for hungry families; helping 41 households with rent assistance; helping 11 people with prescription costs; helping nine people with transportation needs; helping 64 households with utility costs; helping seven households with miscellaneous needs; and helping a family who had a house fire.

Contributions can be mailed to: The Salvation Army, c/o the Rev. Jim McGaffey, 202 S. Fifth St., Fairfield, 52556.