The Salvation Army is putting new COVID-19 protocols in place for their Red Kettle program this season amid the ongoing pandemic.
According to a media release from The Salvation Army, the funds they raise from kettles go directly into services like food, housing and utility assistance, and they expect the need to be even greater this year. They say the need has always been great for those services, but this year it’s greater than ever amid the COVID-19 pandemic. "The Salvation Army is expecting an unprecedented 155% increase in nationwide demand for holiday services this Christmas."
The Salvation Army goes on to say that they know that every donation to their Red Kettles will be all the more urgent this year and at the same time, know that the need for increased public health focused safety is all the more urgent. "So, to maximize the safety of everyone, we are implementing new, nationally mandated safety protocols at our kettle sites."
These protocols include:
- Bell ringers will be provided with masks and instructed to follow state/local safety protocols
- All kettle equipment will be cleaned prior to use in accordance with guidelines
- Bell ringers will be trained to maintain social distancing
- Bell ringers will not have any physical contact with any donations or individuals
- Before reporting for their shifts, bell ringers will be provided a training video that shows how to safely perform their duties and engage with the public in a COVID environment
They say additionally, kettles will be enabled with Apple Pay and Google Pay technology in order to provide donors with an additional contact-less form of donation.
Anyone who wishes to ring bells can sign up at registertoring.com. the Salvation Army says they will have over 130 Red Kettle sites in Omaha and Council Bluffs this year.
The Salvation Army is also offering an option for those who traditionally ring in person, but would prefer to ring ‘virtually’ this year instead. Those wishing to virtually ring can go to registertoring.com and click on the ‘I’M A VIRTUAL RINGER’ tab to start the process of setting up their own online fundraiser.