CAMAS — The Camas-Washougal Salvation Army kicked off its annual fundraising season with a kick — or a pass.
The second annual Red Kettle Kickoff on Nov. 25 at Camas High School’s Carden Field pitted teams made up of football players and staff members from Camas and Washougal high schools, as well as Camas City Councilman Tim Hein and Washougal Mayor David Stuebe. The teams competed against each other passing or kicking the most footballs into a red kettle — with a trophy going to the winning squad.
The Camas team eked out a 17-13 victory, avenging its loss at the inaugural event at Fishback Stadium in Washougal in 2023.
“I would say the MVP was Tim Hein. He scored the most points out of any player. He was a really good sport, but everybody was a great sport,” Salvation Army corps officer Samantha Wheeler said.
The Salvation Army wants to make it easy for residents to participate in its annual fundraising campaign this year with a variety of events and fundraisers.
“People want to give back, and they want to do it in a way that is meaningful to them. If people play an instrument, they want to give back and play their instrument,” Wheeler said. “If they play football, they want to give back and do it while playing football. We’re just trying to find different ways for people to connect with their community.”
The Salvation Army launched the Red Kettle Kickoff in 2023 to raise awareness for its annual Red Kettle campaign, which raises funds for social services such as food, shelter, disaster assistance and addiction recovery programs.
The Camas-Washougal Salvation Army raised $75,000 in 2023 and hopes to generate at least $80,000 this winter, according to Salvation Army corps assistant and finance director Jessica Wheeler.
The nonprofit is using social media to engage community members in creative ways, including a game called “Where’s Tonette?” with volunteer Tonette Sweet.
“Every day that she’s out, she usually stands at two or three different locations, and we’ll post clues every day on social media where she’s going to be,” Samantha Wheeler said of the bell-ringer. “Your challenge is to go and find her, and if you make a donation and take a selfie with her, then she has a gift for you and a sticker that says, ‘I found Tonette.’”
For the last few weeks the nonprofit held a sock drive to collect supplies for the people who stay at its Washougal shelter.
“Socks are the most needed but least donated article of clothing for those experiencing homelessness,” Samantha Wheeler said. “We give out socks daily. … Socks are really, really important. It’s a medical issue. Warm, dry socks are really one of the most important elements of their winter attire.”
While the official sock drive ended with the city of Washougal’s Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting on Thursday, the organization will continue to accept donations for the next several months.
“We’re collecting them because the next three to four months are the wet, cold season, and we’re giving out multiple pairs of socks every single day,” Samantha Wheeler said.
The Salvation Army is launching a new event, a motorcycle toy run from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday.
Community members can participate by purchasing a toy at Walmart, 430 S.E. 192nd Ave., Vancouver, and donating it to the cause; and/or paying $10 to take the toys, via motorcycle, to the Salvation Army.
“It’s basically a motorcycle parade,” Samantha Wheeler said. “Some people might just want to pack a few toys in their backpack and transport them. … Some people might just want to participate in the parade and ride their motorcycle with a Santa suit on. It’s just a fun way to bring awareness and celebrate the season, raising funds to buy toys for our kids that we’re adopting and buying toys for this holiday season.”
The Camas-Washougal Salvation Army is joining other units across the Northwest Division in a matching challenge.
Panther RV in Washougal will match every $20 donation made to a red kettle Saturday, Dec. 14, in Camas or Washougal.
“So the more that people donate that day, the more that their donations will be amplified in their community,” Jessica Wheeler said.
