Red kettle record broken
Salvation Army volunteer Allan George rings his red kettle bell at Fred Meyer on Dec. 5. He collected $780 in 10 hours of bell-ringing. The charitable organization brought in a record $271,048 to give back to the community. (Courtesy photo)
By DEVIN WEEKS
Staff Writer
Three ounces of silver, a gold coin, 10 Cabela's shooting range tokens, seven car wash tokens, $100 Canadian, money from 14 other countries, a lottery ticket and an expired coupon for a free cookie.
When added to the watch batteries, buttons, pocket fuzz and actual money that was collected in the Salvation Army's red kettles this holiday season, our community should be feeling pretty proud.
"We definitely reached our goal, and even went past it," said Christy Markham, director of development for the Salvation Army Kroc Center.
Kettles in Kootenai County collected $271,048, Markham reported. That was before exchanging all of the Canadian coins and counting the miscellaneous items.
"The goal was $261,000," she said. "Last year we raised $246,000. That broke all records. That was incredible. (This year) we did even better."
About 50 employees rang bells in 22 locations, including a new spot at the Super 1 Foods in Athol. More than 1,700 hours were covered by volunteers who donned the red aprons and even worked Sundays to bring in money for the charitable organization.
"We have a clutch of people that it is really important to them to do this job every year," Markham said. "It gives them a little bit of cash, but it is very important for them to help other people."
The funds will benefit 15 programs of the Coeur d'Alene Salvation Army Kroc Center, including third-grade swim lessons and Operation Clothe A Child, which gives children in need $100 of brand new winter clothing.
Markham said the money will also help people pay their heating bills, put food on their tables and assist with other basic needs.
"We can be kind of creative with those funds," she said.
She said the Salvation Army is a "best bet" charity because its building and bus are already paid for, so the funds it raises can go directly to helping the community.
And, as North Idaho's population continues to increase, so does the generosity of its people, pocket fuzz and all.
"This is the biggest year we've ever had," she said. "We just keep growing."