Boxes lined up waiting to be filled at the Salvation Army in December 2018. JTV Photo.
The Salvation Army of Jackson County is launching its annual Red Kettle Christmas Campaign. Since 1885, the Salvation Army of Jackson County has served the community; for the past 50 years, the Army’s annual Christmas Red Kettle campaign has been the major source of funding for Christmas outreach.
Through their mission The Salvation Army is dedicated to serving others and offering hope in a variety of ways. As the Christmas season approaches, the Salvation Army invites the public to volunteer as a Red Kettle bell ringer. Volunteers are able to pick the time and location for their service and will receive confirmation of their volunteer time via email and text as well as the total amount raised. Persons interested in volunteering can sign up at RegisterToRing.com.
This year’s goal is to raise $225,000 during the campaign running through December 23. The need is great this year for food and clothing and children’s toys. In addition to the financial goal, they need to secure 700 frozen chickens, 150 frozen turkeys, and 150 hams to provide Christmas dinner, gifts and clothing.
Brad Patterson, Development Director for The Salvation Army of Jackson County, stressed the importance of the “Red Kettle” campaign, “This Christmas we welcome all of our community to join The Salvation Army’s “Red Kettle” Christmas campaign where coin for coin, dollar for dollar, hour for hour, you fight for what is good right here in Jackson County. As a fighter for good you will help bring hope and love to the lives of those we serve – many of which are facing dire circumstances such as poverty, hunger, and homelessness.”
Patterson said all donations stay in the community. “The Salvation Army takes donor stewardship seriously by maximizing every dollar we receive. 82 cents of every dollar donated goes directly to programs and services in order to offer 22,000 people a high level of service through the programs we offer including – emergency food assistance, utility assistance, after school and summer camps for disadvantaged youth, a clothing closet, Pathway of Hope case management, emotional and spiritual care and the largest Christmas outreach in Jackson County-serving over 1,500 households,” said Patterson.
The Salvation Army has several ways people can help this Christmas season:
1. Join the “Red Kettle” Campaign by visiting www.SAJackson.org to donate online.
2. Become a Bell Ringer– Make a new family tradition and spend a morning, afternoon or full day helping raise support at a Red Kettle site located outside 20 area businesses. Go to RegisterToRing.com and follow the prompts.
3. Adopt-a-Family– Bring hope and goodness to a family this Christmas by donating needed items on the family’s Wish List.
4. Volunteer – Give of your time by helping sort, prepare and distribute over 1,500 food, toy and warm clothing boxes.
5. Donate to our Christmas Wish List- The Salvation Army serves over 25,000 people year round. Consider donating needed items from our Wish List.
To learn more about how to join the “Red Kettle” campaign, contact The Salvation Army of Jackson County at 517-782-7185 x111 or wmijackson@usc.salvationarmy.org.
Again this year, the Salvation Army will be presenting a free Christmas movie, sponsored by Tripp’s Auto Shop and Collision Center. The Red Kettle Christmas movie is “The Grinch”, playing at the Michigan Theatre on Tuesday, December 3 at 6 PM. The movie, popcorn and pop are free.
