I like the color red because it indicates vitality and high energy. It’s a perfect color for sports cars, fire engines, ski jackets, dog sweaters, kid’s mittens, and Christmas ornaments. Another good example is the Salvation Army’s red kettles, now located throughout the county.

No doubt about it, the Salvation Army of Muscatine County is bigger, better, and bolder than ever before, drawing regional and even national attention for their successes. They are highly visible all year long addressing the physical, spiritual, financial, and emotional needs of our residents.

In 2020, our local Salvation Army served 8,245 individuals in Muscatine County, an 84% increase over 2019. Help was given with rent and utilities, hot meals, clothing, year round children and youth programs, the food pantry, holiday programs, school supplies, and personal comfort kits, in addition to much needed emotional and spiritual care. Their Pathway of Hope program assisted 56 families, helping them break the cycle of poverty. These families are now on their way to becoming employable, financially responsible, and more independent. This is a perfect example of a “hand up,” not a “hand out,” program.

We are blessed to have an energetic and capable Salvation Army staff and volunteers who work tirelessly to make a big difference in Muscatine. The only way this is possible is for you and me to step up to the plate to do our share by supporting the annual Red Kettle campaign with our time or money, or preferably both. Studies have shown that when a kettle is staffed with a bell ringer, the donations will be 15 times greater compared to an unstaffed kettle. That difference is huge! They need our help! Sign up on line at https://www.registertoring.com/ or call the Salvation Army office at 563-263-8272 to inquire about bell ringing.

Please be extra generous this year. You can be assured the funds are wisely spent with every cent of your donation credited to our local Salvation Army, even when a check is sent to a Salvation Army address other than Muscatine.

When you see the red Salvation Army counter kettles, the kettles in front of local businesses, or the giant red kettle around town, dig a little deeper in your pocket this year and be part of making a big difference in the lives of many people.

What can you do to support this year’s Red Kettle campaign in a bigger way?