Red Kettle Campaign volunteer sign-ups open

MANKATO, Minn. (KEYC) -While November is still a week away, the Salvation Army’s holiday bell ringing Red Kettle Campaign is already ramping up.

Registration is now open for volunteers to sign up for ringing the iconic bells from November 22 to Christmas Eve, with the Salvation Army needing around 3-thousand hours of volunteer time to fill up their available slots.

Organizers said that they’ve had trouble recruiting enough volunteers the last few years and are hoping to turn that around this year.

“Last year we didn’t have as many sites covered as we could have but the volunteers that did come out were amazing so I want to just credit them,” said Captain Andy Wheeler of the Mankato Salvation Army. “I’m grateful and I loved hearing the stories about why they did and what that was all about.”

The Salvation Army is hoping this year will be a bounce-back year, as each of the last couple of years fell short of the fundraising goal.

This year’s goal is $525-thousand, the same as last year, and a kick off event will happen at the River Hills Mall on November 6.

Proceeds from the Red Kettle Campaign go directly into the Salvation Army’s community programs, and leaders said that the campaign is pivotal to their success.

“The more people that do this the more people we’re going to be able to bless and serve for the rest of the year and that’s a big deal for us. You never know, it might be your neighbor that needs us to step in for them. Think about others, put them first this time around and see what happens,” Wheeler said.

Participating locations in Mankato this year include both Hy-Vees, both Cub Foods, Mills Fleet Farm, Sam’s Club and the River Hills Mall.

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