Restore the Ring Stokes Enthusiasm for Upcoming Red Kettle Season
*Volunteers and Royal Oak Citadel employees inspect and repair equipment
On Wednesday, October 16, The Salvation Army Royal Oak Citadel hosted Restore the Ring: an event where community members joined forces to refurbish red kettles in time for the bell ringing season.
Salvation Army staff, officers and volunteers polished and repaired kettles ensuring they meet standards before heading to metro Detroit storefronts. The Emergency Disaster Services canteen was on-site providing attendees with coffee and donuts.
Though it is a yearly ritual for corps community centers across the Great Lakes Division, Restore the Ring was an opportunity to bring exposure and enthusiasm to the upcoming Red Kettle season.
“This is about taking a proactive approach to cleaning the kettles and getting things ready for Christmas,” said Mark Lane, Senior Director of Communications at The Salvation Army Great Lakes Division.
*Major Steve Woodard, administrator at The Salvation Army Royal Oak Citadel, helps restore kettle signs along with volunteer, Pat
*Jason Carr interviews Major Steve Woodard on Facebook Live
News media from various outlets were in attendance, as well Jason Carr, host of Jason Carr Drive and The Salvation Army Great Lakes Division’s 2024 Red Kettle Christmas Chairman. Carr hosted a Facebook Live for his social media followers.
The Royal Oak Citadel is also one of ten corps that will feature Tap to Give technology at select bell ringing locations. Tap to Give enables people to donate via credit card in a quick and easy fashion.
*Kettle with Tap to Give, which enables quick and easy credit card donations
Overall, Restore the Ring was a fun way to get ready for the season and make sure equipment is in top condition to meet The Salvation Army of Metro Detroit’s $7M fundraising goal for its 2024 Red Kettle Christmas Campaign which kicks off next month.
If you are inspired to volunteer and help reach this goal, you can sign up now by visiting registertoring.com. There are options for a traditional, two-hour session at a physical red kettle site or to set up a virtual bell ringing shift where they can raise funds in the comfort of their own home.
If you are interested in other volunteer opportunities check out our website at sametrodetroit.org/volunteer, or email GLDvolunteer@usc.salvationarmy.org If you don’t have time to volunteer, we also appreciate your donations!