Red Kettle Campaign Kicks Off in Anderson
The Salvation Army of Anderson is launching its annual Red Kettle Christmas Campaign this week, kicking off just over six weeks of bell ringing in hopes of raising the funding needed to continue its vital ministries through 2025. Starting on Friday, November 8, the iconic Red Kettles will pop up at locations across Madison County, ushering in the holiday season. Shoppers should keep an eye out for The Salvation Army's canteen, which will be out in the community on Friday handing out hot cocoa to passersby.
With a Christmas fundraising goal of $100,000, the next two months are a critical time for The Salvation Army. Funds raised during the annual campaign make year-round ministries in Madison County possible, including the food pantry, emergency financial assistance, Christmas food and gift assistance for local families, and The Salvation Army's unique Pathway of Hope program, which seeks to break the cycle of generational poverty.
Majors Mike and Kathy Wolfe, who oversee The Salvation Army's programs in Madison County, are grateful for the community support they receive throughout the holiday season. From volunteers at their Toy Shop to Community Hospital Anderson, which donates hams for Christmas Food Baskets, these individuals and organizations help The Salvation Army bring joy and hope to local residents who are facing financial and personal struggles. Creative fundraising efforts like The News Herald's Empty Stocking Fund and Red Kettle matches offered by local businesses help to boost the generosity of the public leading up to Christmas.
Major Mike Wolfe shared the impact that the Red Kettles have on the annual Christmas assistance programs, saying "When change goes into a kettle, change comes out in the form of help for 1,500 children in need."
Christmas assistance sign-ups continue at The Salvation Army through December 6 with a distribution of toys and food boxes planned for December 17 and 18.
The Salvation Army is looking for 2,400 people in the community to volunteer just 2 hours ringing at a Red Kettle between November 8 and December 24. Individuals, groups, and families are encouraged to visit RegisterToRing.com to sign up for the date, time, and location of their choosing. Red Kettles will be placed at a number of locations this year, including Walmart, Hobby Lobby, Needlers, Harvest Market, Walgreens, Big Lots, Dollar Tree, Marshall's, and Roses.
Shoppers should also keep an eye out for smaller counter kettles hosted by across the county at places like Anita's Restaurant, Bethel Church, Deluxe Donuts, IHOP, Madison County FCU, Old National Bank, Airport Restaurant, Miller Huggins, and convenience stores at BP, Marathon, and Shell gas stations.
Back again this year is the popular Virtual Red Kettle, an online fundraising campaign that encourages the community to participate virtually. Anyone can sign up as a Virtual Bell Ringer or create a Team with its very own fundraising goal. This engaging peer-to-peer campaign makes fundraising for The Salvation Army easy to do from the comfort of home and helps to connect with those who may never walk by a traditional Red Kettle this holiday season. Supporters can join the campaign, give to a friend's virtual kettle, or just follow along at salarmy.us/andersonvrk2024.