Local Salvation Army needs to raise thousands to meet holiday goal

The local chapter of the Salvation Army is looking to raise a lot of money in a short amount of time. Its ‘Red Kettle Campaign’ is over in five days and the El Paso chapter needs to raise $27,000 to meet its goal. During the holiday season, volunteers can be seen outside shopping centers and malls with red Salvation Army buckets asking for donations. The Red Kettle campaign begins on Thanksgiving and ends Christmas Eve. Rose Lucero, Director of Development for the Salvation Army, said the winter weather that has been felt in recent weeks may be a factor on why donations are down. “El Paso’s very spoiled with very good weather, but in turn, that means less people are out, and very likely, less donating in the kettle,” Lucero said. Lucero said the next few days, the Salvation Army will ensure that all its posts and locations are manned with volunteers ringing bells. They are also hoping to get help from Dallas Cowboys Ezekiel Elliott after his touchdown celebration against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers landed him in the life-size kettle at AT&T Stadium on Sunday. Lucero, a Cowboys fan, watched the celebration on television. “I saw Ezekiel jump into the kettle and I thought ‘wow, what wonderful publicity for us (Salvation Army),'” Lucero said. The Cowboys got penalized after Elliott’s move, and there was talk he would get fined by the NFL. Elliott responded by saying he would pay the fine, match it and donate his money to the Salvation Army. He didn’t get fine, but Elliot said he would still donated $21,000. A fitting amount for the rookie who sports the number 21 for the Cowboys. Online donations increased by 61 percent in the first 12 hours after his touchdown celebration. Lucero is now challenging all El Paso Cowboys fans to donate $21. “I think the Dallas Cowboys can inspire fans across the world, the country and specifically right here in El Paso” Lucero said. The Salvation Army helps homeless families year round with shelter, food, clothing and various programs that help them get back on their feet. “If only nine percent of the population in El Paso went and put one dollar in every kettle, we could very quickly turn the deficit around,” Lucero said. HOW TO DONATE There is still time to donate. The Salvation Army still has dozens of locations with volunteers and red kettles on hand. Locations include all local malls, Walmart, Walgreens, Sam’s Club and Bassett Place. You can drop off donations at the Salvation Army at 4300 Paisano Dr. On Friday, December 23, there will be a concert to benefit the organization, ‘Rock the Kettle.’ It will take place at Tricky Falls, 209 S. El Paso Street, and will feature local bands like Chuco Soul Project. The concert starts at 7:00 p.m. Admission is $5 and all proceeds will go to the Salvation Army.