BROOKINGS – Coats, soap and hope. That’s what The Salvation Army aims to give to those in need in Brookings County.
Through their financial and material assistance programs, The Salvation Army helps all individuals with temporary, immediate needs. That could be a new coat for a child, shampoo and toothpaste for a family in need, or insulin for someone who can’t afford it.
“All of our services are paid for by local donations,” said Samantha Turnquist, service center manager. “Everyone gives for different reasons, and I love hearing individuals’ stories about why they give. The most touching stories are from individuals we have helped. We once helped an individual with an emergency hotel stay. A few months later when they were on their feet and had secured housing, they stopped in the office and wrote us a check for double what we paid for the hotel room. Those are the stories that keep you going.”
The Salvation Army set a goal of giving $37,000 worth of financial and material assistance for its 2021-22 year. Share the Warmth, its annual coat drive and giveaway, is about 40% of that budget. Organizers purchase new coats, snow pants and weatherproof gloves for kids in grades K-5th to supplement community donations they receive. The other portion of the budget goes toward helping people who have received a utility shut off, emergency lodging for those homeless or stranded, prescription assistance, hygiene items, and other temporary, immediate needs.
“We do give more than we receive in the Red Kettles,” Turnquist said. “That’s where other local donations to our United Way make a big impact. We do still like to set a Red Kettle goal every year, and for this year that goal is $30,000. Every donation makes a difference to organizations like us. It is great to see the power of a lot of people giving what they can in the Red Kettles to make a big difference. Realistically, they are the ones helping to keep the heat on for their neighbors. We just coordinate the service.”
The Salvation Army knows that not everyone carries cash anymore and that continues to be a challenge. The organization has equipped every Red Kettle stand with contactless payment options such as Apple Pay, Google Pay, Pay Pal and Venmo. As long as donors have contactless payment set up on their device, they can now either tap the sign or scan the QR code if they are not carrying cash but wish to donate. The signs are coded to make sure any electronic payment made in Brookings goes directly to the Brookings office.
Other ways to give include visiting www.salarmybrookings.org to give online, rounding up online or in-app Walmart purchase through Dec. 28, giving in the Counter Kettles at local businesses, or contacting the office at 605-692-8863.
Red Kettles will be out at Walmart, Hy-Vee, and Lewis until Dec. 18. Customers will see them from 4-8 p.m. Fridays, from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturdays, and some weekdays through the season. The Salvation Army relies on volunteers to serve as their iconic Bell Ringers of the holiday season. They do still have volunteer spots open for individuals or groups, so contact the office at 605-692-8863 if interested.
“The Salvation Army sincerely thanks all the volunteers, donors, ringing sites and their employees (Walmart, Hy-Vee, Lewis), and everyone else with the goal of ‘Doing the Most Good’ for those in need in Brookings County,” Turnquist said.
