Community Corner
The Grinch Who Stole Red Kettles in West Des Moines, Des Moines Metro Had Better Watch Out
Kettles are vulnerable when volunteer bell ringers don't show up, Salvation Army spokesman says.
After the theft of a second Red Kettle, the Salvation Army says it’s stepping up monitoring and will make random checks at kettle locations throughout the Des Moines metro area.
The list they’ll be checking twice will be the sign-up sheet for volunteers and paid bell-ringers who agreed to watch over the kettles.
The first kettle and stand were reported stolen in Des Moines during the overnight hours of Nov. 16. On Black Friday, Nov. 23, a second kettle disappeared from the West Des Moines Walmart.
Arvid Huisman, executive director of Salvation Army Des Moines, told the Des Moines Register the volunteer who was supposed to be ringing the bell failed to show up. Huisman said the kettle likely contained several hundred dollars at the time it was stolen.
The cost to replace a kettle and stand, including shipping, totals nearly $300, according to Huisman, who said the theft of kettles has been "a consistent problem" that isn't occuring elsewhere. A kettle also was stolen two years ago.
He said kettle donations make up about 40 percent of all holiday revenues for the Salvation Army in Des Moines. The nonprofit collects money to provide dinners, toys and clothing for families in need during the holidays.
Kettle collections also support food pantries, emergency/disaster response, an infant center, youth programs and senior citizen programs throughout the year.
Last year, $436,611 was collected at 60 kettle locations in the Des Moines area, the newspaper reported.
Red Kettles are located at the following places in Johnston:
Dahl's Food Store, 5440 NW 86th Street
Hy-Vee, 5750 Merle Hay Road
Learn more about how to volunteer by visiting the Salvation Army web site. As of Nov. 27, there are 7,897 volunteer slots available, more than twice the number that have been filled – 3,736. Individuals 14 and older are eligible. For information or assistance, please call (515) 282-3599.
The Red Kettle campaign continues through Christmas Eve.
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