COVID-19 means difficulty on a number of levels for charitable organizations.
Typically you would see women and men standing beside kettles for the Salvation Army, however that will not happen this year.
For the Christmas Kettle Campaign in 2020, the “Tiptap” machine will be front and centre.
The machine allows people to place their debit/credit card on the machine, making a donation.
In this case, the Salvation Army will have each tap equal a $5 donation.
Connie Goodsell is the Sally Ann Spokesperson for Belleville.
“They are called Tiptap machines. So instead of people standing on the kettle, somebody who walks by can simply tap their card up against the machine, and it will donate $5 to us. They can repeat the tap if they want too.”
2020 has not only seen challenges in raising money, it has also increased the demand.
“There has been an increase this past year. Our meal program from April to October had gone up by 82 percent.”
On Wednesday at 2 p.m. at Belleville Nissan on Millennium Parkway, dignitaries, volunteers, and Salvation Army staff will launch this year’s campaign, with a goal of raising $310,000.
The Tiptap machines will be out in the community until Christmas Eve (December 24).
