Wheeling Salvation Army Needs Golf Tournament Sponsors, Bell Ringers
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The Salvation Army in Wheeling is looking to form an all-volunteer army to ring bells during this year's Red Kettle Drive, and the recruiting starts now.
The organization is also seeking sponsors for its upcoming Main Street Bank Red Kettle Classic golf tournament on August 12. Those purchasing sponsorships for the golf tournament also will see their signage on Red Kettles during the holiday season.
The Salvation Army has a goal of recruiting 200 bellringers before September 15, and it also wants to raise $200,000 in 2024, according to Lt. John Lawrence of the Wheeling Salvation Army.
The organization raised just under $100,000 last year.
"We are asking the public to sponsor our annual Main Street Bank Red Kettle golf classic, and our Christmas campaign, as well," Lawrence explained. "We are combining the two. Any sponsors would get the opportunity to sponsor both."
The amount of sponsorship dictates how often and how long the kettle signage will be posted.
– The $100 level includes a tee sign at the golf tournament and a listing in the golf-day media sources.
– A $500 sponsorship helps provide a month's rent for a family in need, while $1,000 will go toward character building programs at the Salvation Army, Lawrence explained.
– At the $2,500 level, the golf tournament sponsor also will get their sign on red kettles for two weeks during the holiday season and they may enter one team in the tournament. The $2,500 sponsorship is enough to send eight kids to summer camp, according to Lawrence.
– The top sponsorship of $5,000 will provide food relief for 100 families, he continued. Sponsors at this level will see their signs on a kettle throughout the holiday season, and be permitted to enter two teams in the golf tournament. There will be a branded item with their logo in the tournament's swag bag, and their logo also will be included on the sponsor banner and all media and promotions.
"The only way to reach our goal is through sponsorships," Lawrence explained. "We have seen reductions in some of our funding, and we need to offset those reductions so we can address growing needs in the community. We are trying to refocus our values to give to people more, and we have to raise more money to do more.
"With that, we are wanting to double the number of volunteers so we can have an all volunteer army."
He explained having more volunteer bell ringers means more profit for the organization.
"It costs us $120 every time we pay someone to ring the bell," Lawrence said. "We have to pay the employee for ringing the bell, and the cost of taking the kettle to the location. We have to take in $120 before we make any profit."
The Salvation Army in Wheeling reported having 100 volunteer bell ringers during the last holiday season.
"The goal is 100% volunteers this year," Lawrence continued. "Last year, we tripled the number from the previous year. This year, we're looking to double (2023 numbers). This will enable us to spend even more on neighbors who are in need."
The Salvation Army has seen greater public need in terms of food, rental and utility assistance, he reported.
"Food insecurity is one of the greatest concerns for our community," Lawrence said. "We've lost some funding, and we're just trying to make it up. Across the board, charitable organizations are down. People in general don't have as much money. Things are down right now, and that impacts us, too. When we raise the number of volunteers, it is more net profit."
Those interested in being a sponsor for the The Red Kettle Classic and the upcoming holiday Red Kettle Drive should reach out to the Salvation Army by calling 304-233-4400.