Salvation Army, Love INC team up on fundraiser
SANDPOINT — The proceeds collected in the Salvation Army’s familiar red Christmas kettles will be under new management this year.
After determining to alter administration of their local Christmas charity campaign, Salvation Army officials have teamed up with Love INC of the Sandpoint First Christian Church to spearhead fund management this year. That means it will be Love INC personnel who will distribute the Salvation Army vouchers to individuals in emergency situations, according to Love INC associate Lynette Haugen.
“(The Salvation Army) was looking for another Christian organization to partner with,” she said. “They came in to check us out and liked what they saw.”
All funds collected through the common holiday sight of Santa Clauses or uncostumed volunteers with red kettles will remain in the community under the management of Love INC, Haugen said. The funds will then be used to help regional residents who fall into an desperate situation and need help fast.
“These vouchers are for emergencies where someone’s house has burned down or they will be evicted if they can’t pay rent,” she said. “It’s to help in a situation you weren’t expecting.”
Once this year’s donations are collected, beneficiaries will be distributed to individuals who call or visit the Love INC office seeking help. Their information and situation will then go through a procedure to determine whether or not they qualify.
Managing those funds is a big responsibility, Haugen said. As a faith-based organization that helps address a variety of community needs on a case-by-case basis, Love INC was already occupied with plenty of its own projects. However, it’s an honor to help the Salvation Army in their charitable work, Haugen said.
“We’ve always been busy, but this has definitely added another dimension to what we do,” she added.
It won’t be too much longer before the Salvation Army’s Christmas fundraising is under way. Volunteers will be mobilizing the week after Thanksgiving at your favorite supermarket to seek out donations. All money collected will go to assist local residents, Haugen said.
“Every penny stays right in Sandpoint,” she added.