BAXTER — Most people don’t understand how much the Salvation Army does for communities, but the work is not lost on Baxter Mayor Darrel Olson.
“I have a lot of respect for the amount of time that they put into taking care of the community,” Olson said at the Thursday kick-off of the annual Red Kettle Campaign.
Olson joined his fellow Brainerd Lakes Salvation Army board members to officially start the bell ringing season at Cub Foods in Baxter. During this Christmas season, the Salvation Army is looking to raise at least $155,000 for the Brainerd Lakes Salvation Army service center to continue providing help to those in need and to keep families in their homes.
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Those funds will be raised with the help of area volunteers ringing bells for about 1,700 hours this season, said Capt. Jeff Curran, the Brainerd Lakes Salvation Army Corps officer.
During the pandemic, the Brainerd Lakes Salvation Army had its supplies and funding stretched thin as they provided assistance to the community.
Last year was hard on the organization, but Curran said he feels optimistic this year will go smoothly as they already have close to 500 volunteer hours covered.
“We worked hard to hit our goal last year, (getting) $1,800 over it,” Curran said. “But we’re looking forward to getting our feet back under us.”
Serving Crow Wing County, the Brainerd Lakes Salvation Army provides community members help with eviction, utility and rental assistance; handing out about 125 to 150 boxes of food a month at the food shelf; along with church and youth services.
Seeing first-hand the impact of the Salvation Army’s community assistance program in the community, Brainerd Deputy Police Chief John Davis followed in his father’s footsteps by volunteering on the Brainerd Lakes Salvation Army Board.
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For Davis, the Salvation Army’s impact isn’t only personal, it’s also professional.
“The Brainerd Police Department has a great relationship with the Salvation Army,” Davis said. “We turn to them for support on calls that we don’t provide services for.”
Connecting those who need the help with the organization that is able to provide it, rather than sending someone away, is one way the Brainerd Police Department looks to strengthen its relationship with the community they serve, Davis said.
SIDEBAR
The following options are available for those wishing to support their neighbors in need:
Make a safe and secure donation at your nearest Red Kettle.
(Contactless options are available at any kettle, including Apple Pay, Google Pay, Venmo, PayPal or a QR code scan.)
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Enlist in Love's Army with a sustaining gift of $25 per month at brainerdlakessa.org .
Ask Amazon Alexa to donate by saying, "Alexa, donate to The Salvation Army," then specifying the amount.
Give any amount by texting "KETTLES" to 51555.
Visit https://registertoring.com or call 218-829-1120 to volunteer at a Red Kettle or help distribute gifts to children in need.
TIM SPEIER, staff writer, can be reached on Twitter @timmy2thyme , call 218-855-5859 or email tim.speier@brainerddispatch.com .
