Linn County Mayors Challenge Each Other as Bell Ringers for the Salvation Army

I've written a few times in the past about the Salvation Army (chiefly here and here, but also here, here, and here). The LGBTQ communities have a difficult history with the Salvation Army. The Salvos has cultivated a reputation for turning away homeless and/or struggling people because of their sexual orientation and/or gender identity, particularly at their homeless shelters. This battle has become increasingly public, resulting in efforts by the Salvation Army to better serve LGTBQ people -- and to publicly promote that effort.

My relationship with the Salvos is complicated. I know their reputation as an evangelical church that typically does not tolerate LGBTQ people, families, or employees. But I also recognize their efforts to change their reputation. And I find myself referring people to them locally for free meals, and for financial help, and for shelter during the winter months.

All that's to say that the mayors of nearby Cedar Rapids, Hiawatha, and Marion, IA challenged each other to see who could raise the most money for the Salvation Army. The three mayors rang bells for the Salvos' Red Kettle Campaign outside of various Hy-Vee grocery stores this past Thursday.

It isn't clear yet how much money was raised by the three mayors, but the Salvation Army has set a financial goal of $763,000 for this year's red kettle campaign. We should know on Monday how much was raised during this two hour challenge.