'Tiptap' function proves lucrative for Salvation Army Kettle Campaign. File Photo/CHAT News

By Jayk Sterkenburg

CHARITY

Salvation Army Christmas kettles seeing increase in donations with ‘tiptap’ function

Dec 4, 2024 | 4:55 PM

A convenient credit card tap option has proven lucrative with select Christmas kettles as part of the Salvation Army’s ‘Tap to Give’ initiative.

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READ: Medicine Hat’s Salvation Army kicks off annual Kettle Campaign

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Major Alan Hoeft, divisional secretary for public relations with The Salvation Army for the prairies, said the new function as part of the Kettle Campaign has been well received.

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“We’re into the several million dollars across the country raising it on our Tiptaps,” he told CHAT News on Wednesday.

The Salvation Army’s Christmas Kettle Campaign has been going on for 133 years.

It certainly looks much different than it used to when it first began in San Francisco in 1891.

Tap option offers 5, 10, and 20 dollar increments. Ross Lavigne/CHAT News

Hoeft said that not everybody carries cash with them, or has immediate access to an ATM.

“We wanted to give them an opportunity to participate in donating to support their community,’ he said.

Hoeft said that there has been a significant rise in donations since the tap option was implemented around five years ago.

“The reality is we’re also seeing an increase from people who go ‘I just have nothing with me. I don’t have any cash.’ And then don’t make a donation,” he said.

“Now they’re able to make a donation by using the Tiptap. Alberta was really great when we first started this program. They were one of the early adopters and really made that fly here in Canada for us,” he added.

“We saw some great results in Alberta, and in the early days. We’re really leading the country in the way that they were able to to support the Salvation Army with that tap function.”

Hoeft still acknowledges the value of having volunteers attend the kettles as well. Someone being present to thank donors is equally as important as the donations themselves.

“The volunteer aspect is huge. We recognize the incredible value that our volunteers bring to the kettle campaign,” he said.

“We’re so grateful for all the hours that so many of our volunteers put in every year during the kettle campaign. And it really makes a difference.”

Those who wish to get involved with the kettle campaign can do so by visiting SalvationArmy.ca.