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CASPER, Wyo. (Wyoming News Now) – Bell ringers are out collecting donations for the Salvation Army, marking the holiday season.
This year the Casper Salvation Army has received a donation from a Casper area community member, offering to match up to $10,000 in donations.
“This is a great opportunity for us. For every dollar being put into the virtual kettle, we’re being matched up to $10,000. Your dollar can make two dollars that is important, these days we want to stretch those dollars as far as we can,” said Casper Salvation Army Corps Officer Trish Simeroth.
The Red Kettle Campaign is one of the few fundraisers the organization hosts. The money raised is kept local, to continue serving the community. Donations help to fund food programs, rental and utility assistance, WYStepUp, and more.
Volunteers spend hours every day in front of stores ringing their bells to encourage donations. There are a minimal number of paid bell ringer positions to help those in need make money during the holiday season.
“There’s fun in it. We have families traditionally that ring for us every year, it’s such a wonderful opportunity to give Christmas back,” said Simeroth.
The Salvation Army is also doing a virtual kettle for donations. The online kettle has an option for donors to input their zip code so online donations will still have an impact on their area of choice.
“The best part is all of those funds stay here. We work really hard to make sure they go as far as we can in Casper and Natrona County, so it’s a great thing,” said Simeroth.
Bell ringers will be around town until Dec. 23. This year, bell ringing at Smith’s will be extended until the end of 2021.
“We don’t put our kettles out there for just raising money… for the Salvation Army, we really trust this community loves and supports what we do. If you feel compelled to give, we do a great job in trying to make those dollars stretch to help people… The Salvation Army makes change, and they take the smallest amount of change and make it go as far as it can,” said Simeroth.
Online donations can be made at the Salvation Army website.
Copyright 2021 Wyoming News Now. All rights reserved.
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