Dodge County Salvation Army Red Kettles raise over $30,000

Dodge County residents contributed more than $30,000 during the local Salvation Army Red Kettle campaign this past Christmas season.
A total of $30,902.52 was contributed, said local Salvation Army coordinator Tanya Young. That figure is $3,000 more than was raised during the 2022 holiday season.
Young said that because Dodge County has a local Salvation Army team all of the money raised in the Dodge County stays in Dodge County. If a county does not have a local team, she said, the money raised goes to the regional headquarters in St. Paul and it goes to helping individuals throughout the region.
Although donations are accepted year round, the major fundraising effort through the familiar Red Kettles found in retail locations during the Christmas season. Volunteers from a variety of organizations, including Scout troops, churches, sports teams and civic organizations are at the kettles to accept donations.
“Just people helping people,” is what the Salvation Army does, said Young.
Dodge County Salvation Army partners with other groups to help people, she said, including the Red Cross in times of a disaster and Semcac for help with food needs.
Dodge County now has seven people certified in emergency disaster services. This can involve helping when there is a fire, flood, extended power outage or other emergency that requires a shelter to be set up. While the Red Cross will take the lead in setting up the shelter, she said, the Salvation Army steps in to provide the food and spiritual assistance.
For people in need of food and clothing, she said, they have partnered with Semcac to help with the intake process so vouchers for food and clothing can be provided. For example, she said, vouchers can be written to the Salvation Army store in Owatonna.
They also can help with rents, utilities, car repairs, back to school shoes, and winter boots.
Last year, she said, was the first year they were able to send kids to Salvation Army camps in Finlayson, Minn. The Salvation Army has camps for young people from six to 17 years old, she said, and last year six kids from Dodge County attended and this year they hope to send more. Some of the camps, she said, are designated for different age groups, such as teens, some for interests, such as music, and some are for all ages.
When funds are low, she said, one area that can be overlooked is hygiene items and the Salvation Army has a “hygiene closet” at St. John’s Lutheran Church that is open to all.
Those in need of hygiene products can contact St. John’s Lutheran Church or Young.