Donations down as Salvation Army kettle drive nears final stretch before Christmas

Dec. 15—Todd Harris' well-wishing bellows and bell ringing can be heard throughout a Hempfield parking lot when he's on duty.

The Greensburg man is dedicated to volunteering for The Salvation Army's Red Kettle campaign, ringing a bell so much during his shifts that he hears it in his sleep. He is quick to offer a kind word to strangers going in and out of Walmart along Route 30, regardless of whether they drop some cash into the red kettle.

"I'm the only one out today," he said this week. "We could really use some help — donors and volunteers."

It's an important time for The Salvation Army as much of the annual revenue for local corps comes from the holiday campaign. Volunteer bell ringers take to the entrances of stores around the region with the ubiquitous red kettles to collect monetary donations from community members. The donations are used by local corps for a variety of community programs throughout the year, including rent, food and utility assistance.

Local donations are down, according to information from the Western Pennsylvania Division. As of Wednesday, the division raised about $1.1 million across 28 counties, almost 48% of its total goal of nearly $2.3 million by Dec. 24. Fundraising efforts in Allegheny County are about 40% to a $565,500 goal, according to division statistics.

Inflation has hit the nonprofit group, too, said Maj. Gregory Hartshorn, divisional commander.

"As prices increase, so has the cost of operating our critical social services initiatives," he said. "We encourage everyone to give what they can as these gifts go well beyond the Christmas season."

The Allegheny Valley Corps is still a ways off from its goal of $127,000, Capt. David Bender said. The organization had raised almost $50,000, which was less than the amount raked in by the same time last year.

"Even though we're behind, there's still lots of funds coming in," he said, thanking the community for its support. "We strongly rely on our Red Kettle effort."

The Greensburg Corps was a bit closer to its goal having raised about 60% with less than two weeks left to go, Lt. Donna Hannan said. That $75,000 is a major source of income.

"It goes towards a multitude of services that we offer," Hannan said.

The corps relies on donations to a handful of kettles sprinkled around the community, one to three on weekdays and five or six on weekends, she said.

Harris is returning the favor during his almost daily volunteer shifts — The Salvation Army once helped him out when he was in need. He wishes anyone in earshot a "Merry Christmas" and "Happy Holidays," bids passersby a good day and lets the kids take a shot at ringing the bell.

"If you really interact with people, it helps," he said. "It's important just because there's so many programs that help children have a decent meal."

Anyone who wants to volunteer as a bell ringer can contact Hannan at 724-834-3335 for the Greensburg location or 724-224-6310 for the Allegheny Valley location. Bell ringers are needed throughout the Western Pennsylvania Division. To sign up to volunteer, visit salvationarmywpa.org/volunteer or call your local center.

Red Kettle donations can be made online at salvationarmywpa.org/lovebeyond. Donations can be dropped off at PNC Bank branches around the area until Dec. 31.

Renatta Signorini is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Renatta by email at rsignorini@triblive.com or via Twitter .