Red Kettle giving down, 'still a blessing'

Ken Wahlmeier of York shares a Salvation Army “Red Kettle” bell-ringing station at Walmart in McCook with “Yogi” the pony. Ken and his wife, Karen, signed up for the McCook bell-ringing time slot on-line, according to Traci Taylor, who is in charge of the Salvation Army’s annual Red Kettle Christmas campaign in McCook.

Courtesy photo

McCOOK, Neb. — Traci Taylor of McCook, coordinator of the Salvation Army’s “Red Kettle” bell-ringing campaign, announced Tuesday morning the total collected during the Christmas season of 2019.

The total was down significantly from last year, Traci said, but last year’s collection of $21,383 appears to have been an anomaly that definitely pleased, but absolutely floored coordinators. “Any and all donations are a blessing,” she said Tuesday, revealing that the Red Kettles this year held donations that totaled $14,800.25.

Traci said she can’t completely explain the lower contribution total … it can probably, like most everything donation/money-related, be traced to the ups and downs of the farm and general economy. And, because Thanksgiving came a week later than usual on the calendar, the Red Kettle campaign had one less week to accept donations. Traci still is so touched by the generosity of donors and the support of everyone who rang bells.

Considering that a 6-year average of Red Kettle donations locally is $16,744, this year’s total of $14,800 doesn’t seem completely out-of-line.

“Any amount is a blessing,” Traci said, adding that, unfortunately, donations just won’t go as far this year.

Red Kettle proceeds provide heating/cooling assistance, grocery donations and mileage to medical appointments, and help to fund assistance programs available through the McCook office of Community Action Partnership of Mid-Nebraska.

About 90 percent of the donations will stay local, Traci said. Last year, after taking care of local needs, several thousand dollars of the phenomenal $21,000 was shared with the Omaha-area Salvation Army to help with flood relief in Northeast Nebraska, she said.

Donations to the Salvation Army are accepted throughout the year and especially as people think about tax-season charitable giving, Traci reminds everyone. Checks can be earmarked for the Salvation Army and mailed to McCook Christian Church, 507 West B, McCook, NE 69001; or taken to Great Western Bank at 211 West C in downtown McCook.

Traci said that MNB Bank and the churches of the McCook Ministerial Association donated great blocks of bell-ringing time. And, Traci said, Great Western Bank employees are, as always, exceptionally generous with their banking assistance and with their donation of hours to ring bells.

Traci said she appreciates these businesses that support the Salvation Army by placing Red Kettles on their countertops: Sehnert’s Bakery, N-Stant Convenience, Hi-Times Liquor Mart, Spirit Shop, Farrell’s Pharmacy and Hallmark Shop, and Joltin’ Jo’s coffee shop.

Traci said she greatly appreciates the donation of time made by all of her bell-ringing volunteers at Schmick’s Market and at Walmart. “We wouldn’t be anywhere without those who ring the bells,” she said.