As the holidays approach, so does the need for volunteers to ring the bells for the Waycross Salvation Army.
The Red Kettle Campaign started as a local San Francisco fundraiser in 1891 that featured a single crab pot. The Salvation Army’s Red Kettle Campaign has grown into one of the most recognizable and important charitable events in the United States.
“It is our largest fundraiser of the year,” said Waycross Post Commander, Major Pam Starr, who has been the Waycross Post Commander since June 2022 and an officer since 1993. “It doesn’t just help us during Christmas, but it helps us all year long. This past year was tough on us financially, we really hope to get that turned around this coming year.”
More than 5,000 communities rely on the money raised from the Red Kettle Campaign for assistance during the holiday season and year-round services – including The Salvation Army of Waycross.
Across the nation, the Red Kettles served more than 25 million people last year. The Salvation Army of Waycross served more than 1,200 men, women and children with utilities, food, clothing, and toys for Christmas.
“Families are facing challenges due to increased rent and food. We are committed to helping individuals have a warm place to live, food to eat and clothing to wear,” said Starr.
“We need hundreds of volunteers... well as many as we can get, every single one is needed,” said Starr.
There are approximately 12 locations, including Food Lion and several Walmart stores that the Waycross Salvation Army have the kettles set up at. The volunteers are needed from Saturday November 19 through Saturday December 24 from 10 a.m. until 7 p.m.
The only days the kettles are not set up are Sundays and Thanksgiving Day.
Volunteers can sign up by calling 912-285-7327, the office is open 8:30 a.m. until 3 p.m. Monday through Friday.
“We need to increase our volunteer base, the better volunteer base we have, the better our net return will be.
Volunteers are needed throughout the year. “We could use volunteers all year long at our family store to help sort, straighten, hang, and replenish shelves,” Starr said.
Starr said the support from the Salvation Army’s advisory board is very helpful in making sure the financial status is stable.
The Salvation of Waycross Advisory Board consists of Rick Fey, Carolyn Akens, Major Pam Starr, Dickie Smith, Dotty Porter, Bobby Hopkins and Rodney Music (not pictured).
