(KNSI) – Bell ringers have been posted outside 15 locations in the area already, but the official kick-off to the Salvation Army kettle campaign was Tuesday evening.
Organized by Primerica of Sauk Rapids, 99.9 Lite FM was at the Coborn’s location on 1st Street South playing Christmas standards. Cookies and hot chocolate were also available free of charge. Major Mike Parker with the Salvation Army was at the eastern door. He says tens of thousands of dollars have already been collected.
“This year, we’re at about right around $25,000 and the kettle goal is $200,000. So you can see we have a ways to go, but this is early in the season and usually towards the end, that last week or so, we usually see an increase.”
Parker says most groups will agree to a shift or two throughout the season, but a couple are staples and they’ve become local celebrities.
“We have a volunteer, Cowboy Santa we call him. He’s been helping us multiple times. He was out today and then we have paid ringers, people that we pay. It helps them and helps us during this time of year.”
The campaign is the signature fundraiser for the Salvation Army. What is collected locally stays in central Minnesota. Parker says the primary operation here is the homeless shelter, which is in high demand throughout the year.
There is a new meal program and they have a couple of seasonal ones, such as delivering toys and stuffing backpacks at the start of the school year.
You can sign up to ring a bell here.
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