By Logan Wells, News Director | Logan@kymnradio.net
As winter and the holiday season approaches, the Salvation Army is also preparing for its Red Kettle Campaign. Last year, the new counter kettles raised $4,000 in donations, including $500 during Winter Walk. The kettles on the counters of many local businesses are smaller but give people more opportunities to donate. However, the traditional bell ringing remains the organization’s primary source of fundraising.
The first shift of bell ringing starts on November 15th. There are 21 full days of bell ringing. In a day, there are four shifts, each 2 hours long. Locations for bell ringing in Northfield are Family Fare and Cub Foods, in Faribault at Fareway, Hy-Vee, and Walmart, and in Lonsdale at Makenthunes.
While individuals are still encouraged to sign up for a bell-ringing shift, Rice County Red Kettle Campaign Organizer Don Pavek said that this year, he is working to promote groups ringing the bell. Pavek said he would like to see a group take a whole day of shifts and split the work among them. Groups can be businesses, community organizations, teams, families, friends, or any other group that wants to work together.
“You don’t have to be with a business. I was at Perkins having breakfast one day. And there was 4 ladies sitting there having a coffee group and so I gave him my little pitch and I said, you know, guys, this would be a perfect opportunity for you ladies to get together and form a group and ring bells for a day.” – Don Pavek on the KYMN Morning Show
Money raised through the Red Kettle Campaign stays locally in Rice County, supporting programs that provide food, shelter, clothing, financial assistance, and various youth, seniors, and veterans services.
To register for a shift to ring, go to https://www.registertoring.com/ there, you can sign up as a group or as an individual. If you have questions about bell ringing or would like a counter kettle, contact Don at 612-685-3207
