2019 Red Kettle Campaign
The Salvation Army is excited to announce the kick off the Red Kettle Season on Friday, November 8, 2019 - locally and across the nation. Christmas has an Army, with Salvation Army volunteers who will take to the streets collecting donations in their Fight for Good to give the gift of help, hope and comfort to our neighbors when they need it most.
Join us at Family Fare, 8th Street, Traverse City for coffee and treats at 10 am to kick-off the 2019 Red Kettle Campaign.
For 125 years, the sound of the bell, sight of the Red Kettles and army of volunteers in Traverse City has been more than a symbol of "Doing the Most Good". They are all a collection of blessings and community used to: to feed, to clothe and to comfort; to rebuild broken homes and broken lives. To fight hunger, so people are fed and spirits nurtured. To provide families a path out of poverty, and help lead them from crisis to stability. They are blessings used to provide experiences for youth, so they can grow into confident leaders of tomorrow. To those who turn to The Salvation Army during vulnerable times, they are the sight of an open door a caring community and the sound of hope and compassion.
The Salvation Army invites community members to join in the Fight for Good by spreading the joy of the season by simply donating or volunteering to bell ring November 8 – December 24. When volunteers ring at a Salvation Army Red Kettle, they help raise awareness and funds to make Christmas bright, provide food, warmth, emergency assistance, and other critical services during the holiday season and throughout the year.
Major Jeff Russell. “When individuals, families and groups volunteer, give at a Red Kettle or online, it is important to know that 100% of their support stays local to provide local Salvation Army programs to individuals and families in Grand Traverse, Leelanau and Benzie counties in their time of need. They are giving the community a lasting display of the love that will be used to bless and change the lives of their neighbors.”
Volunteer Bell Rings are priceless – with each ring of the bell they are changing lives. Each two hours of Bell Ringing raises on average $80-$100 - that is 80+ meals or keeping the lights or heat on for a family for a month or providing 3 underprivileged children the opportunity to attend camp and the priceless gift of hope. Volunteers are encouraged to sign up individually, as a family or as a group now through December 24 at locations throughout the Traverse City area.
Registering to Bell Ring is as easy as visiting Register to Ring.com. Volunteers can select their favorite location, dates and times and they are ready to ring! They will also get text or email reminders. Volunteers can also call Mary at (231) 946-4644 to register.
For more information on volunteer opportunities and ways you can join the Fight for Good and make Christmas Bright this year call 231.946.4644.
Click here to make a donation to the Red Kettle campaign.
10 REASONS TO BELL RING DURING
THE SALVATION ARMY RED KETTLE SEASON
1. You’ll Be Part of Changing Lives: Bell Ringing is a great way to give a priceless gift of help, hope and comfort to 1000’s of individuals and families who turn to The Salvation Army across Northern Michigan. The ringing of The Salvation Army bell is not just a sound of a bell...it’s the sound of curing hunger, the sound of Christmas to a child in need, the sound of a safe place for our neighbors to sleep. It is the sound of help, hope and comfort to our neighbors when they need it most during the holidays and beyond.
2. Doing Good in Your Community! Every penny, nickel, dime, quarter and dollar collected in your community stays local and supports local Salvation Army programs. By helping raise funds through a Red Kettle, you’re a neighbor helping your neighbors.
3. Impacting Neighbors. Did you know that donating 2 hours of your priceless time generates $80-$100+. That means 80+ meals or a safe warm home to a family for a month, or providing 3 underprivileged children the opportunity to attend summer camp!
4. You’ll spread Christmas cheer. The Red Kettle bell is an iconic sound of the season. It really doesn’t feel like Christmas until you hear the first bell ringing. You can be a part of sharing holiday joy by providing the sounds of the season. You’ll put people in the Christmas spirit and you get to be right in the midst of the holiday bustle spreading joy. Get creative – dress up, sing Christmas Carols, bring your friends, family, or co-workers.
5. Hear Uplifting Stories from People Impacted by The Salvation Army! When people walk by the kettles, more often than not, they stop by with a story to tell. Whether they were once helped by The Salvation Army, used to volunteer or know someone who was a recipient of some sort of service, the stories they share are enlightening and uplifting.
6. Make new friends and Warm the Heart.” You’ll get to meet lots of new people as you invite them to donate to your red kettle. Add to the fun by asking friends and family to ring a bell with you. You can even make it a new family tradition! For every time you thank someone for their donation you will be gratefully thanked for ringing the bell!
7. Know Your Impact! Our Red Kettle coordinators work hard to track your individual/group Red Kettle donations and can share how much you raised! We want your donation of your priceless time to be as incredibly rewarding to you as an individual/group as it is to our programs and those we serve.
8. Christmas Fun! Christmas Caroling and Wacky Christmas Sweaters are some of the best parts of the holiday season. Nothing says, “It’s Christmas time” like hearing people singing or playing their favorite holiday tunes or dressed in their favorite Christmas Sweater, Santa or Mrs. Clause, elf or reindeer costume.
9. Channel You Competitive Side. It is easy to see have your efforts are paying off as your Red Kettle begins to fill. Set a personal goal of how many people you can get to stop at your Red Kettle or a personal fundraising goal.
10. Be part of a legacy. The Salvation Army Red Kettle campaign has been a Christmas tradition since 1891. Salvation Army Captain Joseph McFee set out a kettle to raise funds to feed the hungry in San Francisco. Now, The Salvation Army and Red Kettles can be found all over the world.