Article published November 14, 2009
Agency to raise heat under its Red Kettles
NW Ohio Salvation Army goal is $470,000
Capts. Steven Lopes and Valerie Lopes, coordinators for the northwest Ohio area, explain that the large amount is needed because demand for assistance is higher in tough economic times. LaClair
(
THE BLADE/LISA DUTTON
)
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By BRIDGET THARP
BLADE STAFF WRITER
The Salvation Army of Northwest Ohio will seek to raise $470,000 through its annual Red Kettle Drive - reaching toward the most ambitious campaign goal despite missing the target last year.
Honorary campaign Chairman Bob LaClair, also president and chief executive officer of Fifth Third Bank (Northwestern Ohio), said the need for Salvation Army social services led the agency to set a higher goal.
The Salvation Army reported last month a 52 percent year-to-year rise in applications for aid, from utility bills to food. The agency has helped more than 18,500 Lucas County households this year.
"We're in unprecedented times. We've not seen needs like this in this community in really a generation or two. Those that have the ability to help this year, we're encouraging them to do so," Mr. LaClair said.
The Salvation Army of Monroe County set its goal at $300,000.
The United Way of Greater Toledo is also marching toward the highest fund-raising goal in the organization's history - $17.9 million. The effort fetched $13.5 million last year, short of the agency's $15 million goal. The 2007 campaign brought in about $14.5 million, with the same $15 million goal.
The Salvation Army will add red kettles to the Hobby Lobby craft stores in Perrysburg and Sylvania, and the new Food Town grocery at 2725 West Central Ave.
The sites were added after the shuttering of several retailers that formerly hosted red kettles, Tracy Knappins, special events coordinator for the Salvation Army, said. The Pharm stores were bought by Rite Aid Corp. in May, 2008, which led to the closure of five former sites. Others were converted to Rite Aid stores. Area Value City stores closed in March, 2008, and last month, the Kroger grocery in North Toledo's Manhattan Plaza closed.
The nonprofit seeks volunteers or groups to ring bells to solicit donations for the red kettles. Those who want to volunteer to be a bell ringer in Lucas, Wood, and Fulton counties should call Ms. Knappins at 419-241-1138 or visit salvation
armynwohio.org, mhweb.org/michigan/salvation.htm, or online
redkettle.org.
Contact Bridget Tharp at:
btharp@theblade.com
or 419-724-6061.
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