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YOUNGSTOWN -- The Salvation Army of Mahoning County collected $82,000 from its annual Red Kettle campaign this holiday season, though organizers had hoped for more.
This year's goal could not be reached because of illness and short staffing of volunteers, the group's leaders said.
Maj. Paul Moore of the Salvation Army coordinated the campaign. He said both he and his wife, along with others who are always able to take part in the ringing of the bells for the kettles, had been ill.
Moore, who earlier this week said he feels fine, noted he battled COVID-19 from Dec. 6 to Christmas Day.
''I was out for a couple of weeks and so was my wife. Other volunteers who also help were also ill this month,'' Moore said.
He said the 2021 campaign goal was to raise $200,000 but he saw that would be challenging with a limited number of people ringing bells.
The 2020 campaign in Mahoning County raised $105,000.
Moore said he is pleased with the $82,000 raised, as well as additional donations that will likely come in. The funds will help the SA with day-to-day services and programs provided to the public.
"I know we were down in collections this year but appreciate what everyone was able to do,'' Moore said.
Though the annual Red Kettle drive had to be modified last year because of COVID-19, Moore said this holiday season efforts were geared toward a more traditional campaign.
The campaign started in November after Thanksgiving with bell ringers outside stores through Christmas Eve. Bell ringers volunteer all days except Sundays.
Moore said getting volunteers had been difficult due to the pandemic. "The red kettles are our biggest fundraiser of the year," he noted.
"The money goes to families so that children that don't normally have a Christmas, can get Christmas gifts, Christmas toys, coats for the winter, winter hats, mittens, food for the holidays."
Seventeen locations in Mahoning County were staffed Mondays through Saturdays.
Moore said Walmart was the earliest bell-ringing site, which started in mid-November. Other locations in Mahoning County were the Southern Park Mall, Sparkle and Giant Eagle.
The Salvation Army of Mahoning County has its headquarters at 1501 Glenwood Ave. in Youngstown.
bcoupland@tribtoday.com