will you help?

Ring the Bell, Change Lives

Volunteers are needed to help man the famous Red Kettles throughout Wausau. Giving just two hours at a Kettle site, you can raise $200 and change the lives of many in your community. With that $200, we provide housing, food, and support to approximately eight families in need.

Electronic/touchless device-pay options are available! Most people are familiar with our Red Kettles and hear those bells ringing at locations throughout Wausau. The funds raised during November and December stay in our community to assist families throughout the next year with services like the ones listed below:

• Utility disconnects
• Rent when eviction notices are received
• Co-pays on medical prescriptions
• Food Pantry
• Lunch Program
• Shelter
• Homeless Outreach program
• Youth Programs
• Ministry Programs

The Salvation Army rings bells at 17 different locations in the Wausau, Rothschild, Schofield, Rib Mountain, Mosinee, and Weston areas. We ring bells Monday through Saturday 10 a.m. - 8 p.m. We do not ring on Sundays or Thanksgiving Day.  

What does it take to be a volunteer bell ringer?

Ringing the bell can be fun, but it should also be taken seriously. Many people see the Red Kettle as a fixture around the holiday season. However, many people will donate if you can actively engage them to give to a good cause. The more you let your smile and friendly greeting brighten another person's day, the more people will contribute. No need to ask for donations. Just simply smile, say hello, and keep that bell ringing!

Creative Ideas:

• Consider buddying up with a friend and making it an afternoon or evening out, complete with a warm lunch or dinner afterward.
• Create a friendly competition between couples - take different shifts at the same location or different locations at the same time.
• Bring your young teenager to teach them about giving back to others and to help them build confidence
• Gather a group of co-workers and claim a day as your business' day to ring, and each sign up to cover a couple of hours, or pair up.  

Becoming a volunteer bell ringer is easy.

• Visit www.registertoring.com
• Sign in or create a login for you, your family, or company. (Remember to write down your username and password.)
• Choose your location, dates, and times you want to ring.
• Show up at the location on the day you signed up for. Have some fun and feel good that you helped community members in need!
• If you need further assistance please feel free to contact Colleen on the Christmas phone @ 715-370-9563  or email: colleen.hilber@usc.salvationarmy.org

2022 Kettle Goal: $150,000

This amount helps us provide the programs and assistance to the families in our community throughout the year. In 2020, you helped us raise $150,000!

Kettle Pass Buttons - Available!

Kettle pass buttons were created to help make donating easier to the Red Kettle Campaign. They are available for purchase at our 202 Callon Street location or from one of our Advisory Board members. 

Make a one-time donation to our Kettle Campaign by purchasing a Kettle Pass today and wearing it with pride.

Kettle Passes come in increments of

• $25
• $50
• $100

The Origin of the Christmas Kettle

The Salvation Army captain in Dan Francisco had resolved in 1891 to provide a free Christmas dinner to the area's poor persons. But how would he pay for the food?

As he went about his daily tasks, the question stayed in his mind. Suddenly, his thoughts went back to his days as a sailor in Liverpool, England. On the Stage Landing, he saw a large pot called "Simpson's Pot" into which charitable donations were thrown by passers-by.

On the next morning, he secured permission from the authorities to place a similar pot at the Oakland ferry landing, at the foot of Market Street. No time was lost in securing the pot and placing it in a conspicuous position so that it could be seen by all those going to and from the ferryboats. In addition, a brass urn was placed on a stand in the waiting room for the same purpose.

Thus, Captain Joseph McFee launched a tradition that was spread not only through the United States but throughout the world. Kettles are now used in such distant lands as Korea, Japan, and Chile, and in many European countries. Everywhere, public contributions to the kettles enable The Salvation Army to bring the spirit of Christmas to those who would otherwise be forgotten - the aged, the lonely, the ill, the inmates of jails and other institutions, and the poor and unfortunate.