Danville, Illinois – The Salvation Army Red Kettle Season, which provides about ten percent of the support for the organization’s community services, kicked off Thursday, November 11th with kettles scheduled for seven locations, and 10 countertop kettles found at businesses throughout the county.
The red kettles and bell ringers, which will be in front of various retail locations Mondays through Saturdays, 11 a.m.-7 p.m. through December 24th, have been part of theChristmas season in the community since 1891. The goal this season is to raise $32,500 through the Red Kettles.
“The Salvation Army Red Kettles represent one of the world’s largest volunteer efforts, and few people realize that it would require over 1,650 volunteer hours to fully support the kettles in Vermilion County for the season,” said Major Jason Pollom, who leads the Army locally. “Our national ‘Hope Marches On’ Christmas campaign raises public awareness of the profoundneed we are seeing this year. Millions of Americans face the threat of not being able to celebrate the holidays as they continue to battle the impacts of pandemic poverty,” he said.
The Salvation Army serves more than 8,700 individuals each year in Vermilion County, providing critical services that include food, shelter, help with utilities, rent, and clothing, going directly to veterans, the homeless, the elderly, children, families, and individuals. In addition to year-round services like the twice-weekly food pantry, Salvation Army conducts seasonal services such as a winter coat distribution, Christmas Food baskets, and a large Christmas Toy initiative through which hundreds of toys are collected at Angel Tree locations, including Walmart, then given to children in need in conjunction with Toys for Tots ®.
Those who are interested in coming alongside the Salvation Army this season by volunteering can sign up on-line at registertoring.com or contact Melissa Wilhelm at melissa.wilhelm@usc.salvationarmy.org. Bellringers are especially needed.
About The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army annually helps more than 30 million Americans overcome poverty, addiction, and economic hardships through a range of social services. By providing food for the hungry, emergency relief for disaster survivors, rehabilitation for those suffering from drug and alcohol abuse, and clothing and shelter for people in need, The Salvation Army is doing the most good at 7,600 centers of operation around the country.
In the first-ever listing of “America’s Favorite Charities” by The Chronicle of Philanthropy, The Salvation Army ranked as the country’s largest privately funded, direct-service nonprofit. For more information, visit sadanville.org
