Volunteers needed to ring Salvation Army's Red Kettle bells
The ringing of a single bell has been heard by shoppers in the Bloomington area since Nov. 17, when the Salvation Army's Red Kettle campaign began. This year the campaign is both in-person and virtual and people are needed to both fill the kettles and ring bells at a dozen Bloomington locations.
The Red Kettle campaign is the largest fundraiser of the year for Bloomington's Salvation Army, according to Capt. Gordon Hoag.
"We can always use more bell ringers," he told The Herald-Times.
People can sign up for any amount of time, although the online schedule portions the shifts at two hours or more.
"Sometimes a church group or business will have people who will take a couple hours each and take up a whole day," Hoag said, adding that's the best scenario for the agency since it lessens the need to change kettles and set-ups with various people throughout the day.
More: Challenges continue, offers of help abound for unhoused Bloomington veteran
The Red Kettle bell ringers are needed from the IGA grocery on the edge of Ellettsville to the eastside Kroger along College Mall Road in Bloomington. This year's goal is to raise $130,000.
People who don't have the ability or time to ring a bell can participate virtually by going to salarmy.us/kko2021 to register and send out a link to their virtual kettle, asking family and friends to donate.
Without the funds generated through the Red Kettle campaign, the agency's Angel Tree gift program, one of many programs the funds help finance, couldn't provide toys at the holidays for kids up to age 13. The donations also pay for groceries for families' Christmas dinners and help sustain all of Salvation Army's programs — from its food pantry and back-to-school programs to helping people in need with groceries and funds for rent, utility bills and medical prescriptions.
Last year, the pandemic created more need for help with rent and utilities. That need is still "sky high" among area residents, Hoag said, adding that during the past three months, the local agency has spent 300% over its budget.
So far, families have signed up 625 children for Christmas assistance with toys, clothes and other needed items, Hoag said. He expects that number to rise to about 700.
"It is our biggest fundraiser of the year, so it’s important that we have a successful Red Kettle campaign," Hoag said. "We’ve got about 3,000 hours of bell ringing to schedule, so all help is appreciated."
More: Big Brothers Big Sisters of South Central Indiana seeks mentors for more than 140 children
Red Kettle locations include all five Kroger stores, with bell ringers at both doors at the eastside Kroger; Hometown IGA; Rural King; Sam's Club; Walmart (both doors); and Hobby Lobby.
People can sign up online at registertoring.com or call the office at 812-336-4310 to schedule a time to volunteer.
Anyone who wants to make a donation can also:
• Mail a check to Bloomington Salvation Army, P.O. Box 2117, Bloomington, IN 47402,
• Call the office and make a credit card donation over the phone at 812-336-4310,
• Go to bloomingtonsa.org and make a donation online.
Contact Carol Kugler at ckugler@heraldt.com, 812-331-4359 or @ckugler on Twitter.
This article originally appeared on The Herald-Times: Salvation Army's Red Kettle campaign seeks bell ringers
