Salvation Army bell ringers and their kettles seem to be everywhere. How do you explain to the frigid volunteers that you’ve already put your dollar into another kettle?
In some communities, the agency is offering a pass to guilt-stricken shoppers who hurry past the bell-ringers.
Lt. Jacob Tripp of the Salvation Army of Marathon County said he’s sympathetic to their plight.
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“We’ve all walked past kettles and felt guilty about not being able to donate because we don’t have cash,” he said. “We all have something to do.”
Tripp said that currently, in the greater Wausau area, it’s possible to get a pass — a button for $25 that lets you walk past Salvation Army kettles all season with impunity and pride.
“You can give your one-time donation, and you don’t have to walk by and look the other way and hope they don’t see you,” said Tripp.
The season pass buttons are also being offered by Salvation Armies in Milwaukee, Racine, Manitowoc, Dane County, La Crosse and Escanaba.
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