Red Kettle crisis: Volunteer shortage threatens local Salvation Army donations
Published 1:44 pm Tuesday, December 9, 2025
The Salvation Army in Jackson and Josephine counties is pleading for volunteers to help ring in the holidays during the annual Red Kettle donations campaign as the organization faces a critical shortage of staff with only weeks before Christmas.
“Open volunteer opportunities across both counties threaten to limit the resources available to local families at a time when requests for food, rental assistance and Christmas support continue to rise sharply,” the charity group said in a news release Tuesday.
“This is one of the most important moments of our year,” Captains Taurean and Yohani Ortiz said in the release. “We need volunteers — individuals, families, businesses and church groups — to help us meet the rising needs in our community. Even a half-day or full day of ringing makes a tremendous difference.”
The need in Grants Pass is especially pressing, the release noted.
“Thanks to an extraordinary anonymous donor, every dollar placed in a Grants Pass kettle will be matched up to $100,000, doubling the impact for neighbors facing hardship,” officials said. “The Salvation Army emphasizes that this opportunity is maximized when kettles are filled with volunteers who help encourage community giving.”
For those unable to volunteer in person, The Salvation Army encourages supporters to sign up for or contribute through the Virtual Red Kettle campaign, offering a convenient online way to participate and share the spirit of giving from home.
The Salvation Army invites individuals, families, businesses, civic groups and churches to “Adopt a Day” or sign up for a shift.
“Every hour filled ensures that critical services continue reaching Southern Oregonians who rely on The Salvation Army throughout the year,” the release said.
Volunteers can sign up at RegisterToRing.com.
For more information, call Jonnette Mulch in Medford at 541-773-6965 or email jonnette.much@usw.salvationarmy.org. For information on ways to get involved in Grants Pass, call Yohani Ortiz at 541-955-1017 or email yohani.ortiz@usw.salvationarmy.org.
