GLENWOOD SPRINGS, Colorado — For the Salvation Army, the Red Kettle Campaign —which begins the day after Thanksgiving each year — is a critical fund raiser for the service organization.

And this year it couldn't be more important, according to operating manager for the Glenwood Springs Salvation Army, Stacie Durrett. According to Durrett, in the past year she has seen an increase of people asking for assistance of 300 percent.

“The recession has affected us tremendously,” Durrett said. “I've seen four times as many people this year than I saw this time last year.”

Durrett said that with the increase in need within the valley, she is seeing a different selection of people as well. It used to be that the organization helped the working poor, the underemployed, or the people whose income didn't match their expenses, she said. The Salvation Army was there to help in times of emergency, like when a car broke down and somebody was unable to get to work, or if a child became ill and the family didn't have health insurance. Covering rent payments and electric bills were the kinds of things that Durrett would see the most of. But not anymore.

“That was the bulk of my clientele until November of last year,” she said. “I have seen people that have had the same job for the past 15 years, who've been laid off. People that were upper middle class.”

She said that she's seen people from a variety of industries in the valley including construction, tourism, restaurants and retail.

“I have seen people from every type of work,” she said. “Every type of situation.”

And that is where the organization's biggest fund raiser of the year, the Red Kettle Campaign, really helps out.

“I couldn't make it without the kettles,” Durrett said. “And I depend on the people who can help, to help.”

Last year's campaign, despite the beginning of the recession, still received just over $68,000 in donations, according to Kettle Drive coordinator Steve Randol. 2007 was a record setting year for the campaign in the valley with more than $74,000 in donations.

Overall, with mail in and drop-off contributions, the organization received around $121,000 in donations for 2008, which according to Randol was similar to years past.

“We dropped a bit in Aspen, but expect it to pick up again this year,” Randol said.

With at least two new locations, Durrett said the total number of kettle locations from Aspen to Parachute will be 18. The bell ringers will be out daily starting Nov. 27 through Christmas eve. Some locations, like the Glenwood Springs Wal-Mart, will have two kettles — one at each of the entrances.

According to Randol, 14 service clubs will again be involved in tending to the kettles including local Rotary, Lions, Kiwanis, and Key Clubs. In addition, there are three sights that are tended by individuals.

Durrett said that she's attempted to get other businesses to allow for a kettle at other locations in Glenwood, and throughout the valley with little response.

“We've always had a great reception from stores in the valley,” she said. “But it's disappointing that some of the new outlets don't allow bell ringing.”

The money collected through the local campaign goes to help families and individuals in need from Aspen to Parachute.

The Salvation Army is always looking for volunteers to help out tending the kettles through the campaign. Anyone interested should call Stacie Durrett at (970) 945-6976.

jgardner@postindependent.com