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Friday, March 29, 2024
HomeNewsLocal newsRed Kettle Donations Matched on Dec. 9

Red Kettle Donations Matched on Dec. 9

The Salvation Army Captain Raul Rivera and Regional Coordinator Captain Wanda Rivera collecting donations at Cost-U-Less on St. Thomas (Photo by Alli Bourne-Vanneck)

As two bells rang merrily outside of Cost-U-Less on St. Thomas, a woman stopped and noticed. She saw the familiar Red Kettle hanging from The Salvation Army sign, and made a cash donation. She received many thank you’s from Salvation Army Captain Raul Rivera and his wife, Wanda.

This is what they’re hoping continues this holiday season. Especially on Friday, Dec. 9 when the money in each Red Kettle will receive a matching donation. This means every donation will be doubled.

“This is nationwide, covering all the United States, Puerto Rico and Virgin Islands, and we are very blessed to do it,” said Captain Raul Rivera, referring to their Red Kettles and donations being matched on Dec. 9.

“We are very excited. It’s an opportunity for every kettle and bucket to duplicate their donations. It’s important, every penny, every dollar, every check inside our kettles are going to be counted times two,” he said.

All Red Kettles in the USVI are participating. All donations will count double on Dec. 9 from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., according to The Salvation Army USVI. St. Thomas locations include Cost-U-Less, The Market, Price Smart, Walgreens and both Kmarts.

St. Croix Red Kettles are at Cost-U-Less, both Kmarts, and The Market St. Croix, with matching donations taking place from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., also on Dec. 9.

“It’s something we depend on. Our social part of the Salvation Army depends on this kind of fundraising, depends on these givers and this effort to keep our place open. It helps the community with feedings, the food pantry, and helps people pay bills. This is the time and this is the moment,” said Rivera.

According to The Salvation Army, their signature Red Kettles were first developed in San Francisco in 1891 to provide a free holiday dinner to the poor. The organization says today, donations to the Red Kettles comprise 30 percent of gifts to The Salvation Army in the USVI for the entire year, assisting more than 50,000 Virgin Islanders annually. Donations can be made to Red Kettles from Black Friday through Dec. 24.

“Please help us. At the moment we have raised $12,000 but the goal is $46,000. We believe in miracles so please help us because we need you,” said Rivera.

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