Naples Salvation Army shifts online to spread cheer during pandemic

This holiday season is going to be trying for many reasons, and charities are going to need help to make sure families in our area can put food on the table and gifts under the tree.

The Salvation Army is teaming up with Walmart to come to the rescue. You can still find some bell ringers with the red kettle outside stores, but you can also go online and donate.

The Salvation Army in Naples hopes to raise $400,000 this year, and it’s pushing for a little friendly competition among friends and family.

“We’re really excited about our online kettle program this year, and that’s a program where individuals and teams can go online and host their own online red kettle,” said Capt. Ben Bridges of the Naples Salvation Army. “They can challenge families and friends to donate directly to their kettle, they can see how they match up with other people in this community.”

The Salvation Army usually gives new clothes and toys to 1 million children who would go without gifts. This year, it’s expecting an additional 1.6 million people to ask for help.
So it’s creating a safer way for people to spread holiday cheer through the Walmart angel tree program.

“This year it’s all web-based,” Bridges said. “So families go online, fill out their applications and once those are processed through our team, then they can create an Amazon wishlist and other toys or gift cards will be delivered directly to their houses.”