The Salvation Army Rowan County — Red Kettle Program
Purpose & Mission
The Red Kettle Program is The Salvation Army’s most visible community fundraiser each Christmas season. In Rowan County, every dollar placed in a kettle (and every scan of our QR code) stays local to support emergency assistance and life-strengthening programs for children, families, seniors, and neighbors in crisis. Why we raise funds at Christmas: Community need spikes during the holidays (utilities, housing, food, and gifts for children). Funds collected at Christmas help sustain year-round services when donations naturally dip (including our mid-year “Christmas in July” emphasis).
Questions You Might Ask About Kettles here in Rowan County
Where Your Gifts Go (Local Impact)
Donations from Rowan County kettles Are Stewarded Locally to Support
Emergency Assistance: Rent/mortgage help, utility assistance, transportation, and crisis stabilization. Food Security: Pantry support, holiday food boxes, and meal programs. Youth & Family Services: Angel Tree Christmas gifts, summer/day programs, and back-to-school readiness. Shelter & Basic Needs: Clothing vouchers, hygiene kits, and referrals to housing resources. Disaster Response & Community Care: Immediate relief, casework, and follow-up support. Program Operations: Volunteers, supplies, client intake, and vital infrastructure to deliver services effectively.
How the Red Kettle Fuels Year-Round Help
While kettles ring in November–December, the funds raised are budgeted across the entire calendar year to:
Maintain continuity of care for clients after the holidays.
Bridge the summer giving gap when needs remain high but donations slow.
Respond quickly to unexpected crises (disasters, layoffs, medical emergencies).
What’s New in Rowan County
QR Codes on Every Sponsored Kettle: Donors can give digitally and be directed to a local landing page.
Year-Round Partner Cards: Select sponsors will display scannable cards in their business so supporters can donate any time and receive the sponsor’s posted offer.
(Note: Cash and checks are always welcome at kettles; QR enables quick, secure digital giving.)
Ways to Participate
Individuals & Families
Ring the bell for a 2-hour shift (or more) at a nearby location.
Sponsor a “Match Day” (e.g., match up to $1,000 to double community gifts).
Share the QR code on social media to invite friends to give.
Businesses & Community Groups
Sponsor a Kettle (limited opportunities each season).
Form a Ring-the-Bell Team (friendly competition for shift totals).
Host a Kettle Takeover Day with your employees or club members.
Provide in-kind support (hot cocoa, heaters, signage space, etc.).
Seasonal Timeline (Typical)
August–September: Site confirmations, sponsor onboarding, volunteer recruitment, media planning.
October: Finalize schedules; Safe From Harm readiness; signage/QR testing; training.
Early November: Campaign launch; press/media.
Nov–Dec (Peak): Daily ringing, sponsor rotations, match days, ongoing reporting.
January: Reconciliation, sponsor/volunteer thank-yous, impact reporting to community.
Volunteer Experience & Standards
- Training: Brief orientation (greeting, mission talking points, safety basics, site guidelines).
- Safe From Harm: We follow Salvation Army safety protocols; minors ring with adult supervision.
- On-Site Etiquette: Warm welcome, brief mission message, “Thank you!” for every gift; remain courteous and stationary; follow store and city guidelines.
Safety: Never leave a kettle unattended; observe site boundaries; report concerns to staff immediately.
Site Management & Logistics
Locations: High-traffic retail and community sites across Rowan County (secured with property owner permission and any required municipal approvals). Rotations: To maximize visibility and fairness, we rotate sponsor signage across multiple high-traffic sites. Weather Plan: Covered entrances preferred; inclement weather may shift schedules for safety. Accessibility: We aim to place kettles in visible, accessible areas that allow for safe pedestrian flow.
Accountability & Stewardship
Local Stewardship: Funds are receipted and accounted for under Salvation Army financial controls; kettle income and digital gifts are reconciled daily/weekly.
Transparency: Post-season we share a local impact snapshot (services delivered, households assisted, volunteer hours, and program highlights).
Donor Thanks: Personalized acknowledgments for sponsors, match partners, and volunteer groups.
Communications & Media
Community Awareness: Social posts, local media partners, and sponsor spotlights help drive traffic to kettles.
Storytelling: We highlight dignified, real-life outcomes to show how gifts become changed lives.
Tools Provided: Talking points, QR flyers, digital assets for groups and sponsors.
Key Measures of Success
Total dollars raised (cash + digital).
Year-round impact supported (client services maintained, crises averted).
Volunteer hours and group participation.
Average dollars per hour per site (to help optimize placement and scheduling).
QR scans and digital conversion (for sponsors and year-round cards).
Frequently Asked Questions
Do local donations stay in Rowan County?
Yes. Gifts given at Rowan County kettles (and through our local QR code) are used to serve Rowan County neighbors.
Are gifts tax-deductible?
Yes. The Salvation Army is a 501(c)(3). Receipts are available for digital gifts; cash/check donors can request a receipt.
Can youth groups ring?
Yes, with appropriate adult supervision and adherence to Safe From Harm policies.
How do I schedule a shift?
Contact us (info below) to choose a location and time that fits your schedule.
Can my business host or sponsor a kettle?
Yes—sponsorships and host sites are limited and scheduled early; please reach out promptly.
Contact — Get Involved Today
The Salvation Army Rowan County
620 Bringle Ferry Road, Salisbury, NC 28144
P.O. Box 625, Salisbury, NC 28145
Phone: [704.636.6491] • Email: [salisburync@uss.salvationarmy.org]
Volunteer or Group Sign-Up: Request available dates/sites.
Sponsor a Kettle or Match Day: Ask about current opportunities.
Media/Community Partners: Coordinate features or awareness events.
One-Paragraph Summary (for newsletters/websites)
The Red Kettle Program fuels The Salvation Army’s mission in Rowan County—meeting urgent needs at Christmas and sustaining help all year. Every local gift stays local, supporting food, housing, utilities, youth and family services, and crisis care. Donors can give by cash, check, or QR code at kettles or via year-round partner displays. Join us by ringing the bell, sponsoring a kettle, hosting a team day, or making a gift that turns compassion into action for our neighbors.