Any amount over $1 can be donated this way.
"A lot of people don't carry cash," Salvation Army Captain Ronald Cook told The Messenger News.
The E-Kettle, when not out on location, can be found at Salvation [image-nocss] Army headquarters in downtown Fort Dodge.
In other "red kettle" news, San Antonio, Texas-based Valero Energy Corp. helped kick off The Salvation Army's Red Kettle Season recently with a $25,000 donation.
Eric Fisher, Valero's corporate communications vice-president, said the annual donation, which first began three years ago, is beneficial to everyone involved. "Every year we kick off this campaign," he said. "This way Valero can support The Salvation Army, and our employees see us interacting with this great, helpful organization."
Salvation Army development director Jose Macias said large donations such as Valero's are especially important during the recession. As a result of the economic conditions, he said, donations have been lower, with fewer people contributing.
"In addition," Macias said, "demand for services has increased. We are feeling this impact, but we are doing the best we can to keep up with demand."
Valero's donation was handed off by children in its day-care center. Each of the kids got the chance to donate coins, in addition to the four children who presented the check to the Salvation Army.
"We are thankful Valero is teaching the kids to give at such a young age," said Villafuerte.
Macias praised Valero's efforts to assist the Salvation Army, even during tough economic times. "Valero Energy has been a strong corporate sponsor," he said. "They have helped maintain our mission of service to our community. We manage youth development programs, preventative homelessness care, shelters and low-income housing. There's so much we can do with this donation."
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