Published: November 24, 2009 02:32 pm      

BELLS ARE RINGING: Salvation Army kicks off largest fundraiser of year

You don’t need a calendar to know it’s the Christmas season. All you have to do is listen for the bells.

The Salvation Army kicked off its largest fundraiser of the year this week. The annual red kettles, manned by bell ringers, will be stationed in front of area retailers in Clark, Floyd and Harrison counties now through Christmas Eve.

This year’s goal, according to New Albany’s Salvation Army Business Manager Roxanne Haley, is $200,000. The money is not just for holiday aid. It helps needy people all year with rent, heating assistance and other living expenses. Last year, local kettles collected $198,000. Several churches and other organizations volunteer during the season to ring the bells. Haley said the local Methodist churches always man the kettle at the Kroger in the New Albany Plaza. Individuals also volunteer, and some are paid, to ring the bells.

The red kettles go back to 1891 when a Salvation Army captain in San Francisco wanted to provide a free Christmas dinner, but didn’t know how to pay for it. So, red kettles were placed in areas throughout the bay area and a tradition was born.

“Some people may just have a quarter and may not think it’s worth putting it into the kettles. But those quarters add up,” Haley said.

The kettles are just one holiday tradition at the Salvation Army. The Army also helps with other needs throughout the area during the holiday season.

Haley said with so many people out of work, there is even greater need this year. The application for need will surpass last year’s total, and there are also more names on the annual Angel Tree which will be stationed at the Green Tree Mall beginning Friday.

“So many people are hurting,” Haley said. “There is a huge need this year. Through Tuesday we already had 50 families more than last year for food baskets and toys. There are a lot of new faces. We had a lady sign her kids up for Christmas gifts and was so thankful. She said her and her husband were both out of work and had never been in this situation before.”

While the need is great, Haley said the Army can only “do so much.”

“But we are going to help people one way or the other. We really do need extra help this year.”

She said several companies take several of the angels off of the Angel Tree, which is in its 26th year.

“We are asking the ones who can, to adopt an angel this year, even if they have never done it before” Haley said.

Many parents receive most of their children’s toys from the Salvation Army Toy Shop. Donations of new toys are always accepted, Haley said.

For more information about the programs or how to donate, call the Salvation Army at 812-944-1018.