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E-mail This StoryThis holiday season there will be a twist to the familiar Salvation Army bell-ringing donation collection. For the first time, the Salvation Army's Red Kettle Campaign will begin accepting donations from credit cards.
"This is an opportunity for the Salvation Army to try something new," said Kristin Bowman, public relations associate for the Salvation Army DFW Metroplex Command. "The world is changing, society is changing and people are carrying less change."
A dozen prototype cashless kettles will be put up in different areas of Dallas/Fort Worth as part of a pilot program that will allow donors to swipe their credit or debit cards to make a donation instead of fishing for change.
Two of the cashless kettles will make their debuts in Plano on Nov. 21-22. One kettle will be stationed outside the Fry's Electronics store at Plano Parkway, just east of U.S. 75. The second cashless kettle will be located outside Wal-Mart at the intersection of West Park Boulevard and the Dallas North Tollway.
The prototypes, which will be equipped with miniature credit card scanner technology attached to the kettle stands, will be unveiled at the organization's annual Doing the Most Good luncheon on Saturday. The prototypes are the forerunners of planned future red kettles, which will accept credit card donations and print receipts, Bowman said.
"Another great way to give to the Salvation Army is through the online virtual kettle," Bowman said.
Bowman said the online virtual kettle would be perfect for companies, churches and community groups to raise money and keep track of contributions. Anyone can host an online kettle for fundraising. To host an online red kettle, visit www.onlineredkettle.org.
Salvation Army's Red Kettle Campaign begins Nov. 14. The Plano City Council has officially kicked off the campaign at Monday evening's meeting, where Mayor Pro Tem Jean Callison made the first official contribution.
The Red Kettle Christmas Campaign enables the Army to provide food, toys and clothing to more than six million people during the Christmas season and helps more than 34 million Americans recovering from all kinds of personal disasters nationwide.
Contact Kim Nguyen at knguyen@acnpapers.com
