The Auburn Salvation Army is behind in volunteers and numbers.
At the same time last year, the organization had $7,000 more in donations.
Dennis Cregan, director of the Auburn branch, blamed the sluggish economy and lack of stores that allow bell ringers to stand on their property as main factors in the smaller figures this year. Residents still will see bell ringers at the Fingerlakes Mall, Wal-Mart, Tops and P&C. However, traffic is down near the kettles.
“I can put a kettle in front of a pharmacy all day but if you put one in front of a food store, what's going to get you more traffic?” he asked.
In an effort to boost donations and tap into another resource, the nonprofit organization is launching an online campaign. People can host a Red Kettle page and send e-mails to others with a link to the page.
“It's for today's generation of computer wizards. It's for people who care about their neighbors, but don't have the time to ring the bells at the local supermarket,” Cregan said. “It's the perfect way to help us raise much-needed funds to provide hopes to those in crisis.”
The goal for the online kettle is $10,000, part of the overall goal of $51,000. Residents have contributed $14,500 thus far overall.
People can visit www.onlineredkettle.org to set up a cyber kettle. People also can search for “Auburn, N.Y.” and see the kettle already started and how close it is to $10,000.
People can customize their red kettle pages and invite others to fill the kettle. Businesses can also participate. Donations are tracked and automatically applied to personal and group goals. A link could be e-mailed to employees, vendors, customers and other businesses.
The army's been testing cyber kettle for a few years, Cregan said.
As more and more stores limit or prevent the Salvation Army from standing near their doors, the organization explored different avenues. The cyber kettle has proven successful in college communities. This is Auburn's first year participating.
“It's a tough year. Gas prices have gone up, car and home heating oil, and food prices have skyrocketed,” Cregan said. “This isn't like the stock market, where it only affects people who are invested. This hurts everyone.”
Staff writer Jessica Soule can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 267 or jessica.soule@lee.net
Dennis Cregan, director of the Auburn branch, blamed the sluggish economy and lack of stores that allow bell ringers to stand on their property as main factors in the smaller figures this year. Residents still will see bell ringers at the Fingerlakes Mall, Wal-Mart, Tops and P&C. However, traffic is down near the kettles.
“I can put a kettle in front of a pharmacy all day but if you put one in front of a food store, what's going to get you more traffic?” he asked.
In an effort to boost donations and tap into another resource, the nonprofit organization is launching an online campaign. People can host a Red Kettle page and send e-mails to others with a link to the page.
“It's for today's generation of computer wizards. It's for people who care about their neighbors, but don't have the time to ring the bells at the local supermarket,” Cregan said. “It's the perfect way to help us raise much-needed funds to provide hopes to those in crisis.”
The goal for the online kettle is $10,000, part of the overall goal of $51,000. Residents have contributed $14,500 thus far overall.
People can visit www.onlineredkettle.org to set up a cyber kettle. People also can search for “Auburn, N.Y.” and see the kettle already started and how close it is to $10,000.
People can customize their red kettle pages and invite others to fill the kettle. Businesses can also participate. Donations are tracked and automatically applied to personal and group goals. A link could be e-mailed to employees, vendors, customers and other businesses.
The army's been testing cyber kettle for a few years, Cregan said.
As more and more stores limit or prevent the Salvation Army from standing near their doors, the organization explored different avenues. The cyber kettle has proven successful in college communities. This is Auburn's first year participating.
“It's a tough year. Gas prices have gone up, car and home heating oil, and food prices have skyrocketed,” Cregan said. “This isn't like the stock market, where it only affects people who are invested. This hurts everyone.”
Staff writer Jessica Soule can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 267 or jessica.soule@lee.net
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