Winter, Hope Kick Off Red Kettle Fund Drive For Salvation Army

CLEARWATER, FL — Superstar dolphin Winter from the film "Dolphin Tale," and her pool mate, Hope, kicked up their tales to help kick off the Salvation Army of Clearwater and Upper Pinellas County's Red Kettle fundraiser at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium.

Joined by Clearwater Mayor Frank Hibbard and employees from Red Kettle corporate partner Achieva Credit Union, staff of the Salvation Army was at the Clearwater Aquarium to announce the largest kettle challenge match ever in the history of the Salvation Army of Clearwater and Upper Pinellas County.

To help ensure that no one goes without assistance during the holidays, the Salvation Army has launched “Rescue Christmas,” an effort to raise public awareness of the profound need that communities across the nation are facing. Because of a number of factors related to the coronavirus – including social distancing rules, fewer holiday shoppers at stores and greater demand for assistance – the Salvation Army expects contributions to its iconic Red Kettles will drop substantially.

Based on the increase in services already provided in response to the pandemic, the organization expects to serve up to 155 percent more people in 2020 with Christmas assistance, including putting food on the table, paying bills, providing shelter and helping place gifts under the tree – assuming the resources are available.

In North Pinellas County, the Salvation Army served 46,391 people last year. If it sees the same level of increased requests for service, that will mean nearly 70,000 people will need help this holiday season.

Nearly half of low-income Americans report that they or someone in their household has experienced some sort of income loss. Unemployment rates are between 10 and 11 percent in Tampa Bay.

“We are serving a new population of families who have never needed us before," said Salvation Army Maj. Ted Morris. “In North Pinellas County alone, between April and October 2020, The Salvation Army increased financial assistance by 79 percent over the same time last year, and by 200 percent in requests for food.”

Though the holidays may be a little different this year, the Salvation Army needs volunteers to help support its efforts, and secure the kettle challenge matching grant. Any contribution made in kettles or online through the Red Kettle Challenge will help with the matching grant.

• To participate, visit the Salvation Army of Clearwater and Upper Pinellas County and click the Red Kettle Challenge to donate online.
• Kettles also will be at Hobby Lobby and Achieva Credit Union branches. To help ensure the safety of bell ringers, donors and partners, the Salvation Army has adopted nationally mandated safety protocols.
• Adopt a Kettle - show the community how you are helping to rescue Christmas by sponsoring a kettle for $500/day at a kettle location of your choice
• Volunteer to ring the bell at a red kettle at www.RegistertoRing.com

All gifts stay within the community in which they are given. Visit RescueChristmas.org to donate or learn more about how you can help the Salvation Army rescue Christmas this year. If you need services or know of someone in need, click here to find a location near you.

Angel Tree And Silver Bells

Resident can also help by adopting "angels" or "silver bells" (senior citizens) from trees throughout the area.

New this year, the Salvation Army's Angel Tree and Silver Bells Program will be digital.

To adopt an "angel" or "silver bell", click here.

Note the gender, age, clothing sizes and gift wishes of your "angel" or "silver bell."

After shopping for your "angel" or "silver bell," place all items in a bag with your "angel's" or "silver bell's" information included inside and drop off the bag by Dec. 11 at the Salvation Army, 1521 E. Druid Road, Clearwater, between Monday and Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Tags can also be picked up at the following locations:

• The Salvation Army, 1625 N. Belcher Road, Clearwater
• Participating Walmarts - call 727-724-9777, ext. 105 for information
• Sam's Club, 2475 Gulf to Bay Blvd., Clearwater
• Achieva Credit Unions in Clearwater, Dunedin and Palm Harbor
• Westfield Countryside Mall, second floor, near the Build-A-Bear Workshop.