Charity loses mall
as location for kettles

The Salvation Army sees growth
despite the Windward ban

Salvation Army officials are expecting collections to exceed last year's total, even though another large Oahu shopping mall has closed its doors to the red Christmas kettles.

"When the economy is good, people tend to give more," said Daniel de Castro, Salvation Army spokesman, noting the kettles brought in about $500,000 last year.

"It's quite a blow we can't be in (Windward Mall)." Marcy Hoffschneider Salvation Army Windward Oahu district commander

Salvation Army officials learned that their red kettles and bell ringers are no longer permitted in Windward Mall when they contacted mall management company General Growth Properties Inc. earlier this year.

"It's quite a blow we can't be in the mall. That was our (highest grossing) site," said Capt. Marcy Hoffschneider, Salvation Army Windward Oahu district commander.

Macy's is allowing a kettle and bell ringer at the parking lot entrance to the store, Hoffschneider said, but she does not believe it will make up for the loss of sites inside the mall. To make up the difference, Hoffschneider said bell ringers will appear at new sites, including the Ross Store in Kaneohe.

General Growth took over management duties of Windward Mall this summer.

It phased out the kettles and bell ringers from Ala Moana Center and Victoria Ward Centers after it bought the two large retail complexes in 1999 and 2002, respectively.

Pearlridge implemented its own ban on the heels of the Ala Moana ban. In exchange, Pearlridge management allowed the Salvation Army to place a tree decorated with gift requests from people in need in the mall, de Castro said. And Macy's Pearlridge has allowed a kettle and bell ringer at its mall entrance.

In addition to the economy, Salvation Army's Honolulu district is expecting an extra boost, "because we have the new Wal-Mart," said Joy Groenleer, Honolulu district Christmas Kettle Coordinator.

Wal-Mart Keeaumoku opened its doors Oct. 13. Sam's Club at the same location opened a week later.

The retailer allows bell ringers at its stores for a maximum of 14 days during the holiday season, for no more than three consecutive days.

The Wal-Mart stores in Mililani and Waipahu and Sam's Club at Pearl Highlands are the Salvation Army Leeward district's highest grossing locations.

The Salvation Army usually sends its bell ringers out on the day after Thanksgiving. However, because of a shorter-than-usual traditional Christmas shopping season, the Oahu bell ringers went out a week early, de Castro said.