The sound of a bell ringing is an iconic sound during the holiday season. Not only does it bring joy to shoppers as they scurry about stores finding the right gift for their friends and loved ones, it also brings about hope across Brazos County – and around the world – as the simple sound of a bell also signifies the fundraising efforts of the Salvation Army’s Red Kettle Campaign. For 129 years, the sound of bells ringing has provided financial means and support to those who have found themselves in need. Families and individuals come to the Salvation Army throughout the year in search of assistance with clothing, food, utility/rent assistance, disaster relief, back-to-school assistance, summer camps, or one of the many other services that are offered.
In 2019, the Salvation Army found itself in a bit of an uphill battle as the time between Thanksgiving and Christmas was one week shorter this year. This meant one less week of fundraising.
“We entered into this season recognizing that it was going to be a shorter time out in the community,” says Captain Paul Ryerson, commanding officer of the Salvation Army Bryan College Station Corps. “In addition to the shorter season, we also had several bad weather days that made it difficult for volunteers to stand at the kettle.”
The Salvation Army released new technology options this year for its fundraising campaign with the implementation of Kettle Pay. Kettle Pay allows donors to use either Apple Pay or Google Pay to donate at the kettle stand with their smartphones. It was also the first year with the Register2Ring database, allowing volunteers to sign up online for available bell ringing shifts. “Out of 424 volunteers and volunteer groups that signed up to bell ring in 2019, 301 volunteers signed up online,” says Mellissa Roy, communications and community relations coordinator at the Salvation Army of Bryan College Station.
“Volunteers bell rang for over 1,880 total volunteer hours or an average of 4.44 hours per volunteer/group in 2019, an increase from the 1,660 volunteer hours in 2018,” says Roy.
A call for help went out to the public midway into its campaign in December due to how fundraising was going at the time. “We saw the effect of the shorter season about halfway through,” says Ryerson. “We were falling behind in our fundraising, so we made a call to the community.” The citizens and businesses of Brazos County answered that call loud and clear. “We are so grateful to be in a community that not only sees the need but is willing to help their neighbors that are struggling. It doesn’t matter if it was at our red kettles or Angel Tree Program; when the call for help was made, the community answered it,” states Ryerson. “In 2019, we were able to provide Christmas gift assistance to 871 families comprising a total of 2,168 children. We had many great citizens and businesses adopt local angels, such as Texas A&M MSC ALOT who helped adopt 1,100 angels.”
The generosity also carried over into the Red Kettle Campaign. After a rocky start to its fundraising campaign, the Red Kettle Campaign finished at $209,000.
“The community really stepped up in our time of need,” says Ryerson. “Our goal was $200,000 and we finished at $209,000.”
Several local businesses contributed to the campaign after the call went out. One local business, Stylecraft Builders, contributed $15,000 to help the Army get closer to its goal. Separate from the Red Kettle Campaign, a local foundation, the F.W. Bert and Mae Dean Wheeler Foundation, contributed $50,000 a few days before Christmas.
“I want to say ‘thank you’ to each person/business who came alongside us this Christmas season. We thank every bell ringer who gave their time and for every donor who gave their support. We cannot do what we do without you all,” says Ryerson.
The money collected at the Red Kettle will be used to help local families year-round at the Salvation Army.
The Salvation Army of Bryan College Station would like to thank all the volunteers, donors, supporters, and everyone who worked tirelessly behind the scenes to make the 2019 Christmas season a success. The support that was given did not go unnoticed. If you missed out on donating during the Red Kettle Campaign, donations are still being accepted at their main office located at 2506 Cavitt Ave. in Bryan or online at www.salvationarmybcs.org.
