Salvation Army kicks off 2024 Red Kettle Campaign

MANKATO, Minn. (KEYC) -While Thanksgiving is still a few weeks off, many have already pointed their attention towards the holiday season.

The Salvation Army kicked off their 2024 Red Kettle Campaign on Wednesday and are looking to get volunteer slots filled for bell ringing all season long, as around 3-thousand hours of bell ringing needs to be filled between locations like Hy-Vee, Cub Foods, Fleet Farm, Sam’s Club and the River Hills Mall.

“We want to see all of our spots filled up. We don’t make any money when there’s not a ringer on those kettles. The difference is almost 400-percent compared to when there is somebody out at that kettle shaking the bells, saying hello, have a good day, God bless you,” said Captain Andy Wheeler of the Mankato Salvation Army.

This year’s goal is $525,000, the same as it’s been for the past several years.

That goal hasn’t changed because the Salvation Army hasn’t met their goal for the last few years.

Leaders in the organization hope to turn that around this year, with the River Hills Mall housing the big red kettle all year long and having already raised $50,000 before a single bell has been rung.

The Salvation Army does have a core group of bell ringers that volunteer each and every year, and they believe that the volunteer hours are more than worthwhile.

“It’s so much fun. Yeah your hand gets a little sore but it’s okay because it’s worth it. It’s for a good cause. All the money goes back to the community to help,” one volunteer said.

Bell ringing will begin on November 22 and run until Christmas.

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