SALEM Donation kettle mix-up resolved

The fund-raiser produces more than $30,000 annually to help the needy.
By NORMAN LEIGH
VINDICATOR SALEM BUREAU
SALEM -- It's a sad commentary on the times that Salvation Army donation kettles are being stolen in some areas.
So far, that hasn't occurred in Salem, but, for a while, a mix-up made it appear as though it had.
Police received a report about 8:07 p.m. Wednesday that a dark-haired woman had approached a 19-year-old female who was serving as the bell-ringer for a donation kettle at the Sparkle Market grocery on South Lundy Avenue.
The woman told the girl she was with the Salvation Army and was taking the kettle, a police report says.
Possible theft
It's unclear how or why police where called, and the matter was investigated as a possible theft.
The possibility of a kettle's being stolen surprised Maj. Tom Hinzman, Salem SA commander, who learned of the theft report Thursday morning from a reporter.
Hinzman quickly checked into it and determined that no theft occurred.
What happened is that the secretary for the Salem SA office was in Sparkle on Wednesday and determined that the teenager ringing the bell wasn't doing the job right. She wasn't making eye contact with passers-by and was playing a portable video game, Hinzman said.
The secretary took the kettle and told the girl to go home.
Police were called after the secretary left. They have since changed their report to reflect that no theft occurred.
Successful campaign
The Salvation Army's kettle campaign is its most successful fund-raiser, Hinzman said.
In the Salem area alone, the effort raises about $33,000 annually.
The money is used to help needy individuals and families with items such as food, prescription drugs and utility bills.
All the funds raised are used locally, with about 70 families a month being aided, he said.
leigh@vindy.com