NEW YORK—It’s nowhere near Christmas, but the spirit of giving has returned. The ring of the Salvation Army bells can be heard on New York streets this week for the organization’s “Kettles in July Campaign.”
“Kettles in July” is the Salvation Army’s emergency response to the economic downturn.
One hundred and fifty kettles will be out through Saturday at locations around New York City, Long Island, Westchester, Rockland, Dutchess, Orange, and parts of Putnam, and Ulster counties. “Kettles in July” seeks to help raise $1 million for people in these areas, according to a Salvation Army official.
“The economic crisis has hit New York hard,” said Lilybeth Ciriaco, youth ministries associate and bell ringer on West 34th Street and Broadway, Monday morning. The Salvation Army is trying to “raise money to help as many as we can.”
According to the Salvation Army press release, “Since the economic crisis began last October, some 330,000 people in the region served by the Salvation Army have lost their jobs. Twenty percent more households than last year have had their power cut off. Entries into homeless shelters have swelled by 40 percent.”
After her four-hour bell-ringing shift, Ciriaco said she received around $35 in donations. She said this was kind of a rough start because people are not expecting the bell-ringers in July. The Salvation Army hopes that people will also donate online.
Among other events planned to support the fundraising efforts, on Tuesday, July 14, from 2-5 p.m. a jazz combo will play next to the kettles in Times Square outside Toys R Us at 44th and Broadway.
The Salvation Army is an international faith-based charitable organization, according to its Web site. Ciriaco said it was established in 1865 in England and is now in approximately 115 countries. She added, “The beautiful thing about The Salvation Army is that it’s here to help the world.”
To learn more about the Salvation Army’s services or make a donation visit: www.salvationarmyny.org
