Weather impacts Red Kettle donations for Salvation Army in Albany

ALBANY — The Albany Salvation Army raised slightly more than $60,000 during its annual Red Kettle campaign that ran this year from Nov. 16 until Christmas Eve.

The total was short of the $75,000 goal the agency set, but challenges faced ahead of and during the campaign period did not make the outcome surprising.

Corps Officer Lt. James Sullivan, contacted by The Albany Herald during his holiday vacation, said the exact total came out to $60,632.05. It was short of this year’s goal as well as the $68,000 collection from last year.

Much of the Red Kettle donations traditionally come in during the final two weeks of the campaign. This year, during that period, Albany’s weather was an obstacle — as staying dry is often a priority for potential donors over taking the extra few seconds to drop cash or coins into the kettle.

“We had unexpected storms on Fridays and Saturdays,” Sullivan said. “We collect an average of $3,500 on Fridays and Saturdays, and during the last three weeks it has unexpectedly rained (during the weekends).

“Fridays and Saturdays are always the biggest days.”

While Hurricane Michael predates the campaign, that storm was also a factor — as many resources since the Oct. 10 hurricane have been tied up in recovery, and officials at the Salvation Army say they understand that putting the pieces back together after a disaster takes priority.

“People are still in recovery mode,” Sullivan said.

When Sullivan and his wife, Lt. Rebecca Sullivan, arrived in Albany as corps officers about 18 months ago, the fundraising goal was $60,000. The fact that collections now surpass that mark on an ordinary year indicates that there is still motivation to contribute.

Many of the circumstances during this year’s campaign were out of the Salvation Army’s control, and officials with the organization say they want to maintain building momentum.

“We can’t control the weather, but we would like to keep the goal set at the same (level) next year,” James Sullivan said.

The funds generated from Red Kettle donations go toward offsetting the costs of overhead, programs and services at the Salvation Army. What is not collected in the kettles during the holiday season is made up for through regular donations that come into the organization.

“We generally rely on the money we get during the kettle season,” James Sullivan said.

He said the Salvation Army will work to find new locations for bell ringers while recruiting more volunteers. Children, church groups and civic clubs came forward during the campaign to volunteer, expecting no compensation, while those who were on a payroll to ring the bell were paid $8 an hour.

The compensation for the paid bell-ringers came from donations the organization received.

“(Having) 80-90 percent (of bell ringers as volunteers) would be helpful,” he said. “We are at 70/30 right now, or even if we were at 50/50, that would help us a great deal.

“People are generous. There are (still) donations coming in two months after the hurricane. We are doing the best with what we have.”

Eighty-two percent of every dollar donated to the Salvation Army stays within the Albany area community to fund local programs. Volunteer response saw a 25 percent increase from last year.

Jennifer Parks