The Salvation Army Elgin Corps has fallen $35,000 short of its $235,000 Red Kettle campaign goal, but Lt. Allison Rodriguez said she is hopeful they can make up the difference by month’s end.
“We trust in the Lord’s provision as we seek to serve his people in our community,” said Rodriguez, who leads the Elgin Corps with her husband, Lt. Scott Rodriguez. “We are still receiving donations toward that goal until the end of the month. I think with support from community members, we will hopefully get close to the goal.”
The local organization’s fiscal budget is dependent on what is raised through the end-of-the-year Red Kettle fundraiser, which is always held during the Christmas holidays.
“We would really like to raise this goal so we don’t have to make (budget) adjustments,” Rodriguez said.
If they don’t make it to $235,000, the nonprofit will be forced to reduce the amount of emergency financial assistance it can provide to people who need help with things like rent and utilities, she said. Other services or programs could be affected as well.
“Our whole budget depends on the funds we raise and affects the quality of services we provide as well as the quantity,” Rodriguez said.
The Elgin Corps hired 23 bell ringers to man kettles every day during the campaign, which started Nov. 3. More than 50 volunteers also provided 2,372 hours of bell ringing, Rodriguez said.
“We were excited about that total number. Volunteer hours are so important for us,” she said.
Volunteers tend to generate more donations per hour than hired bell ringers, she said. And kettles that a manned receive more donations than those that are not.
While people can make donations online, a majority of the funds they collect come from kettles that are set up outside stores and other locations, Rodriguez said.
They have a few unique programs to encourage volunteers to ring bells. One is a high school challenge, sponsored by Otto Engineering, in which students from Larkin, Elgin, Dundee-Crown, Jacobs and Hampshire high schools compete to raise the most donations, Rodriguez said.
The winner will be announced soon.
“We feel very supported by the community,” Rodriguez said.
In 2025, the Elgin Salvation Army helped 1,700 people by providing emergency financial assistance and a home goods pantry, she said. At Christmas, 498 families participated in a toy distribution through which 1,117 children received presents.
“Our gymnasium turned into a beautiful toy shop, and parents could pick out gifts themselves,” Rodriguez said. “We like this approach because it gives parents some dignity and the experience of Christmas shopping.”
Volunteers, including a large group from Advocate Sherman Hospital in Elgin, assisted, she said. “It was a big undertaking but such a privilege to see parents receive Christmas gifts for their children,” she said
Rodriguez has helped during fundraising effort at different corps locations over the years, but this was the first time she and her husband coordinated one, she said.
“This year we were in the unique position of being able to see the generosity of the community up close and personally,” she said. “It’s really amazing how kind and generous people are. This year, the quantity per donation was much higher. People were really providing a lot.”
Rodriguez also noted that their agency is one of 10 to benefit from the Elgin Fox Trot. The Salvation Army provides volunteers to help with the race and in return receives a portion of the money raised. This year the charity run will be held May 31; registration is already underway.
Their agency is always looking for corporate sponsorships and ways to collaborate with the community, Rodriguez said. They’d also like to do other fundraisers throughout the year to supplement the Red Kettle campaign, she said.
“If people are interested in donating, there is an online way to do it at elginredkettle.org. They can also either mail checks or drop them off,” Rodriguez said. The Salvation Army’s address is 316 Douglas Ave., Elgin.
Gloria Casas is a freelance reporter for The Courier-News.
