Salvation Army members in Becker County are dusting off their bells and buckets and getting ready for the annual Red Kettle Campaign.
As in the past, the kettles will be located in Central Market, Kmart, the Washington Square Mall, L&M Fleet and outside Walmart on the weekends.
"It was a very successful campaign for us," chairman Michele Baker said of last year's campaign. "I think that's the highest we've had in years past."
Last year the Salvation Army raised $23,000 through the kettles. This is the Salvation Army's only local fund-raiser. Kettles are put out Nov. 22 and left up until Christmas.
"We have a lot of need in our community, especially with the economy down," Baker said.
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All of the money collected in the kettles stays in Becker County. The money is used for disaster relief -- gas, clothing, etc. -- and for special projects like $4,000 for a back-to-school program; diapers through the Becker County Food Pantry; winter gear -- jacket, boots, etc. -- for those in need; food for Day of Caring workers; Christmas gifts for children; and winter nursing home visits.
Baker said the group is always looking for more volunteers to ring the bell. Call Kristen at 846-0370 or Michele at 846-0379 to volunteer.
"Kettles are more successful when there are people there," she said.
Becker County has a population of 30,000, Baker said. If every person only gave $1, "think of what we could do."
Baker said she'd like to thank those who volunteer to ring the bells and those who donate money to the organization.
According to the salvation Army's website, the Red Kettle Campaign start in 1891 in San Francisco. In 2004, the campaign raised over $100 million nationwide, with all money staying in the communities it was raised in. More than 37 million people in poverty benefit from those monies.
