MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — It came later than it ever did before but someone did come through with the anonymous $1,000 donation to the Morgantown Salvation Army.
Someone dropped a $1,000 bill into the red kettle at the new Bass Pro Shops Thursday afternoon. It marked the latest that anonymous donation has ever come since it began in 1978.
Sheldon Greenland, the commander officer for the Salvation Army in Monongalia, Marion and Preston counties, told WAJR Radio News earlier this week he had his fingers crossed.
“This is the latest ever for the donation, so we are waiting with great anticipation,” Greenland said. “So, we want that tradition to continue.”
Going into Thursday, Red Kettle campaign were down this year.
“To be honest, it’s not going as good as we had hoped,” Greenland said. “Our main struggle has been the shortage of ringers.”
The pandemic keeping more people at home shopping from their computer and people not carrying as much cash have been factors. But, Greenland said each kettle has a QR code that can be scanned for donations from the public.
“We’re about 30 to 40 percent behind from where we were last year, so we need all the support we can get from our community,” Greenland said. ” Every dollar collected here stays in the Morgantown area.”
The Salvation Army helps families and people in need with food, utility assistance, housing, prescription help and many other needs in the community. Greenland said they can also act as a “pass through” for people that have furniture they want to give away.
“Our people are very generous and they give, so we’re always grateful for whatever people put in the kettles,” Greenland said. “But, we just have not had a lot of ringers out this year.”
When people give to the Red Kettle campaign it’s assumed it is used exclusively for Christmas relief, but these funds help the organization maintain services all year. The organization also operates the Hope Cafe which Greenland said provides a nutritional meal with a side of dignity.
Red Kettles will be at local stores through Dec, 24 at 4 p.m.