The Salvation Army in Kent County 2022 Red Kettle Campaign
The inaugural ringing of the iconic bells for this Christmas season kicked-off November 11th, at The Knapp Crossings D&W in Grand Rapids. The Salvation Army of Kent County opened its annual Red Kettle Campaign. campaign, which runs through January. Funds raised will help fund critical social services provided in Kent County at Christmas and throughout 2023 and has a local goal of $1.7 million.
Highlights included:
The City of Grand Rapids proclaiming Nov. 11, 2022, as “Red Kettle Campaign Kickoff Day”;
Grand Valley Area Commander Major Timothy Meyer, Salvation Army advisory board members, and a representative from SpartanNash simultaneously ringing the first bells of the season to begin the campaign;
Free cider, cocoa, and donuts served by The Salvation Army’s mobile kitchen;
The Salvation Army Brass Band, a crowd favorite, playing holiday favorites.
A winter storm cancelled the last two days of bell ringing so The Salvation Army is still asking for donations. Thanks to an anonymous donor, from now until the end of the year, all donations will be matched dollar-for-dollar up to $80,000. Please donate here.
For over 20 years, bell ringers have been welcomed into the warmth of all SpartanNash stores – including Family Fare and D&W Fresh Market – throughout Michigan to make it more comfortable for bell ringers and easier for customers to make donations.
Registrations are open for those in the community to be a volunteer bell ringer and can be completed by visiting RegisterToRing.com. More than 50 sites in Kent County have a need for bell ringers and bell ringing will run until Christmas Eve. Additionally, through the entirely contactless Virtual Red Kettle, donors can set up their own personal red kettle online and raise funds from their peers.
Donations to the Red Kettle Campaign can be made by visiting SAKentCounty.org or calling 1-800-SAL-ARMY. Every kettle site comes equipped with Kettle Pay, which allows donors to bump their phone and make a contactless donation via Google or Apple Pay. All donations stay within the community in which they are given.